How to use License plate or VIN info to find owner information?

February 27, 2016 10:40 PM

I've seen the culprit who has stolen my car driving around town and actually trying to sell it on one occasion. Police have been unable to arrive in time every time I spot him and alert them. They are also apparently too busy to track him down with the license plate info and surveillance footage I have provided. I'd like to determine his address and get my car before he sells it. I have the Plate and Vin of his own vehicle.

I have tracked down the thief who stole my car and acquired surveillance footage from shops and eateries where he used my credit card. I have also taken my own footage when I spotted him driving around town, and also showing my car to a prospective buyer in a parking lot. The detective on my case has all the information. The police were called when I spotted him on two occasions. However they did not arrive in time. I am also unable to get them to prioritize my case.

Any tips on how I could locate the address of this guy? I have a set of keys and am only interested in securing my car before it is too late. Any other advice also welcome.

(This posting is submitted on behalf of a friend)

posted by mefitem to Law & Government (16 answers total)

Have you been to the police and asked to speak to the officer in charge of your case? Calling them when you spot the car driving around has not been useful, as you point out. Speak with the officer about all the information you have and ask what the next steps are. If they don't have a clear set of next steps, ask why not -- what are the obstacles?
posted by girlpublisher at 4:41 AM on February 28, 2016

In Connecticut, DMV will give up the owner of a vehicle based on the tag number. Probably there is a fee. Maybe also a delay. But it's public info.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:05 AM on February 28, 2016

Have you considered that the plate on "his own" vehicle might also be stolen?
posted by jon1270 at 5:07 AM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

SemiSalt --- there are a lot of states that will not give out DMV info to the public: it's to prevent stalking and such. The cops of course always have access, as do I believe licensed private investigators and that kind of folks. (And yeah, the plates on that stolen car are most likely also stolen.)

Two things for your friend, mefitem: first, have they shut down their stolen credit card(s)? From your mention of 'shops and eateries', plural, I suspect not. Also, and it'd be risky: since your friend has a set of keys to their stolen car, have they considered simply taking it back next time they see it parked? I'd only recommend doing that with a large scary-looking backup person or two along, though.
posted by easily confused at 5:53 AM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]

It's a tough pill to swallow, but there's an awful lot that can go sideways in life altering ways with vigilante solutions. I would suggest the safest way to proceed is find a way to get the officer on the case interested in following up on the leads (perhaps there's a politician that can bring some pressure to do so?) or transfer to to someone else.
posted by Candleman at 8:15 AM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

If they could get brief access to the vehicle, they could disable it (with a U lock through a wheel and chain), or put a GPS tracker with mobile data on it and have the car always update data. Or setup a buy through a third party and have the police show up instead.
posted by nickggully at 9:18 AM on February 28, 2016

I work for the Ministry of Transportation up here in Ontario; we have a mechanism through our office where you can report your plate and vehicle as stolen. You may have something similar at your local DMV office. This may not immediately help with you getting the car back, but it will save you from being charged with fees and fines that may get racked up on your vehicle while this crook has it.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 10:41 AM on February 28, 2016

I an baffled by the degree of information your friend has managed to compile and yet the police can do nothing?

Seems like if an officer could be spared to spend even part of a day with your friend, the job would be done. He/she has done all their work for them.

Reporting the VIN of the perp's car to the police as a way for them to catch a known car thief seems sort of ingenious. All they have to do is look up that VIN to get his name/details; then bring him in for questioning. ?? Is that too simple?

This just seems weird.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:50 AM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]

The cops of course always have access, as do I believe licensed private investigators and that kind of folks.

If you can't push for the cops to be more proactive, why not hire a private investigator? Given all the information you've already gathered, it seems like it would be trivially easy for a private investigator to get the address, at least if the plates aren't stolen. Still, maybe even with stolen plates, a good private investigator may be able to accomplish this for you.

Another alternative: Have you checked on places like Craigslist (or whatever similar sites exist in your location) to look for listings matching your car? Since it sounds like the guy is trying to sell it, maybe you could arrange to meet with him, and then tell the police when and where to show up.

Still, the first step seems like it would be going to the precinct in person and escalating up the chain of command until you can get someone to take this seriously.
posted by litera scripta manet at 1:24 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]

It seems like even if the police are dragging their feet on the criminal complaint, you could talk to a lawyer about civil options. (See replevin)

The lawyer may be able to do something about converting your VIN/plate # to a name.
posted by ctmf at 3:33 PM on February 28, 2016

I'm wondering about contacting your insurance company. They have a risk, and they have resources, but I don't know if they would act.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:10 PM on February 28, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks for the input so far. Here are some answers to questions:
I have notified the DMV, insurance, and credit card companies. I have also been keeping an eye on craigslist and eBay. It is frustrating that the police have not followed up on the information I provided (I've been scouting the area six hours a day lately). However, my city is rather crime ridden (especially with gang related crime) and car theft is very common. I'm guessing the cops are just busy with more serious matters.

I was able to confirm via an online VIN lookup that the vehicle I saw the thief driving does pair with the plate on it. It was also not flagged stolen (as of yet). While waiting on the police to do their thing, I would like to try to get my car back or at least gather as much information and evidence as possible. The GPS and PI options seem like the best so far. Any recommendations for a GPS device for this sort of thing?
posted by mefitem at 7:35 PM on February 28, 2016

Someone mentioned- can't your friend just take the car?

Isn't there at least one other key in his/her possession? Then just drive it away.

Drive to a police station and ask them to fingerprint it, I don't know... not sure how many ways this scenario could go wrong.

But if you know where the car is, and have a key (again, assuming)... dunno. If it were me and I were that frustrated I would just take the damn thing back.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:50 AM on February 29, 2016

I hate to bring this up, but is your friend absolutely, 1000% sure that this particular vehicle is indeed his car, and not just another car of the same make, model and color? I mean, there've got to be a ton of silver-grey Ford Fusions, for instance; is there something that differentiates this car (like a distinctive rust streak) and makes it unmistakeable?

Even if you can get the license plates traced, that's really unlikely to help: most likely, the plates too were stolen, so all tracing them would get would be the person they were stolen from, not the thief. It's a really slim chance they'll lead to the name of the person who stole the car. And if your friend has been paid by his insurance company for the car, he's probably best off leaving it at that..... at minimum, the ignition probably would have to be replaced, as well as who-knows-what other engine and/or body damage its sustained; a car thief isn't going to take good care of the car, because if it craps out on him, he'll abandon it and steal another. Any of your friend's belongings that were in there when it was stolen are most likely either trashed, pawned or sold.

So since the police don't seem to be helping, the only two real alternatives are to forget this car and get another, or retrieve it yourself. I understand the problems with the first: there's the emotional whammy of "letting the thief get away with it", as well as the expense and hassle of finding and buying a new car: a big headache, all around.

As for retrieving it: very risky, since you'd be going up against known criminals who'd probably feel they've got nothing to lose. You could have a plan to dive in, lock the doors and drive away as fast as you can; the problems with this include the thief shooting at you, and --- because the ignition has probably been popped, so you wouldn't be able to use the keys anyway --- not being able to even get it started, leaving you a sitting duck waiting for the thief.... not good. An alternative might be to hire a repossession outfit to get it for you; at the very least they've got experience in moving fast, loading up and getting out in hostile situations.
posted by easily confused at 12:55 PM on February 29, 2016

Response by poster: I_Love_Bananas: I don't know where the car is. I've only spotted the thief a couple of times. He was in a different car on one of the occasions (same car he drove to places where he used my credit cards. I know this from the venue's surveillance footage). The second time, he was showing my car to someone. So I have had no opportunity to take my car. Additionally, the police told me not to do that. They have to be called and they will take fingerprints.

easily confused: It is my car. Plus the person I witnessed with it matches the surveillance footage of the guy who used my credit cards. My insurance company does not cover theft. Incidentally, the car looked to be very well taken care of, as in, detailed to be sold most likely.
posted by mefitem at 4:30 PM on February 29, 2016

To get the name associated with the thief's car (presuming it is his and registered to him), could you buy a used vehicle information package for the VIN at the DMV? It would show the current registrant's name.

I wonder what would happen if you found the car and were able to arrange to cut the tires through...drill? You'd be down a set of tires, but the car wouldn't move -presumably the thief would abandon it. Then, repo. Very dangerous choice though.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 8:53 PM on February 29, 2016