They got the robbers. Now what?

July 27, 2009 9:27 AM

They got the guys who robbed us. They were arrested but have posted bond and are awaiting trial (I guess). What happens now on my end?

They stole a phone and used it (sheesh!). The detective ran all the names called against his records and a few popped up as having records. He checked those names against pawn shop records and found one who pawned our stuff. We have video of them selling out stuff at the pawn shop. One's our next-door neighbor's (with whom we're friendly) son. They kicked him out of the house.
The detective said it's impossible to get a search warrant this far (three weeks) after a crime cause the stuff's usually gone, but that he's gonna go by my neighbor's place tomorrow and ask his parents if he can look around the place for our stuff.

posted by kristymcj to law & government (7 comments total)

Homeowner's insurance sometimes covers theft. Check your policy.

Tell your neighbors what was stolen so that they can look for it.

Don't "go vigilante"
posted by Flunkie at 9:37 AM on July 27

Be prepared for court dates to be changed a lot.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 9:46 AM on July 27

Be wary of angry reprisals. Look into getting an alarm system installed, stronger locks, window guards, etc.
posted by Burhanistan at 9:52 AM on July 27

Go to the pawn shop and look for your stuff. If it's a chain check a few other ones out too.
posted by fshgrl at 9:57 AM on July 27

If you have proof of ownership and the stuff is at the pawnshop, you should be able to reclaim it.
posted by theora55 at 10:16 AM on July 27

Many states and counties have resources available for victims of crimes. Victim advocates can help you answer these questions as well as talk you through the process if you need someone to talk to. They may also be useful if your testimony is needed to convict the thieves.

Call your local district attorney's office and ask if they have a victim's assistance unit.
posted by Happydaz at 11:25 AM on July 27

In New York, you can apply with the prosecutor for "restitution", in which the city/county will pay you for what you lost, and extract it from the perpetrator as a fine during sentencing. I don't know how it works where you are, but you should ask the police involved or the prosecutor's office whether something like this exists where you are.
posted by Citrus at 12:25 PM on July 27