My stolen laptop sold on ebay now possible civil dispute? Please help!

adz2010

Email sent with the lovely advice from CAB a huge thanks to everyone that has posted. I really apperciate your time and effort in helping me out. You have been brilliant. I just wish I came on here sooner!

Joe_Hennessey

adz2010 wrote: »

Dear All

My car got broken into last month and my laptop was stolen. To cut a long story short I managed to track it down and the police now have it in their possession. I had installed an anti theft software on my laptop which did its job. I found out who had it and told the police. It came into police possession last week. I was obviously over the moon and the police said I should get back within a week.

To my shock I was told on Wednesday 13th March that it will now turn into a civil dispute. As the person bought it off ebay for £690 cash and the police will now wait for a court to decide who should get it back.

This is depsite the fact I have reported it stolen , tracked down the person who had it , showed proof of purchase to the police and told them the serial number of the laptop before it came into the police possession!

Any advice would be great. Does the person even have a claim?

Sounds like the person who received the goods is receiving stolen goods which last time I checks is a criminal offence :mad:

Darksun

Joe_Hennessey wrote: »

Sounds like the person who received the goods is receiving stolen goods which last time I checks is a criminal offence :mad:

It's only an offence to knowingly receive or handle stolen goods, it sounds like the person bought it in good faith and so no offence has been committed (except by the person who nicked it and stuck it on eBay)

pmduk

Let us know how you get on. It may be useful for others in the future. Sometimes the police seem to forget that the victim is precisely that, a victim.

adz2010

pmduk wrote: »

Let us know how you get on. It may be useful for others in the future. Sometimes the police seem to forget that the victim is precisely that, a victim.

I have emailed the police explaining the law that I should recieve my macbook back. Due to the advice from the CAB.

I have also tried calling the police officers number at least 10 times today but to no avail.

We will see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully my macbook back!

missile

I would write a letter of complaint addressed to your Cheif Constable. They are obliged to respond to every complaint in a timely manner.

I had installed an anti theft software on my laptop which did its job.

Which software did you use? I found this interesting,

GadgetTrak Recovers Computer Stolen By Delivery Driver - Cardiff, Wales > http://www.gadgettrak.com/blog/category/recoveries/

ComeTheRevolution

Is the laptop with the team investigating the original breaking into a car and stealing crime - in which case it could be required as evidence - and they should be following an Ebay trail - or has it entered some other jurisdiction?

adz2010

missile wrote: »

I would write a letter of complaint addressed to your Cheif Constable. They are obliged to respond to every complaint in a timely manner.

Which software did you use? I found this interesting,

GadgetTrak Recovers Computer Stolen By Delivery Driver - Cardiff, Wales > http://www.gadgettrak.com/blog/category/recoveries/

The software is called "prey" - http://panel.preyproject.com/login

Yes I think I have reached the point where something has to be done. They are not answering my calls or email about the matter. I will give them another 24 hours. I know need to find out who the chief constable is.

adz2010

ComeTheRevolution wrote: »

Is the laptop with the team investigating the original breaking into a car and stealing crime - in which case it could be required as evidence - and they should be following an Ebay trail - or has it entered some other jurisdiction?

That is right it is with the investigation team. However they have stated now they have it. They need a court to decide who gets it!? They are not getting involved as it is a civil dispute. Which does not make sense at all. As I am not even sure the other party wants to turn it into a civil dispute.

ciderboy2009

At this point I would be lodging a formal complaint with the Chief Constable.