Posted on 07/23/2015 5:17:56 PM PDT by AbolishCSEU
What would you do in this situation? Imagine you buy a car, not thinking about where it's been before, and then the police show up telling you they need to take your car because it may be evidence in an out-of-town murder.
One man contacted News10NBC for help saying this actually happened to him.
We're told the crime happened in Albany. So how did the car end up on a used car lot in Rochester? The connection to the murder case isn't completely clear, but it appears it went from an auction to the dealership and then to Josh Goetz from Wayne County. He came to us because he no longer has his vehicle and is out more than $8,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at whec.com ...
One man contacted News10NBC for help saying this actually happened to him.
We're told the crime happened in Albany. So how did the car end up on a used car lot in Rochester? The connection to the murder case isn't completely clear, but it appears it went from an auction to the dealership and then to Josh Goetz from Wayne County. He came to us because he no longer has his vehicle and is out more than $8,000.
Goetz thought he found a bargain when he bought the 2006 Chevy Trailblazer from a small dealer in Webster back in March.
Goetz: "4x4, it had a moon roof, black rims, was white, very clean, low mileage for that year. Nice car."
Brett Davidsen: "How long did you think you'd have it?"
Goetz: "A lot longer than two months."
That's right: two months after he purchased the SUV it was taken from him, seized by state police.
Goetz: "Two investigators showed up and said, 'we're taking it.'"
Davidsen: "What was that like?"
Goetz: "I was a little nervous at first, like, why are they here?"
Turns out the vehicle he had bought was evidence in a murder investigation from the Albany area. The name Shelby Countermine appears in the search warrant presented to Goetz. She disappeared from Schenectady in December. Her body was found in a shallow grave in May.
Goetz says, "Definitely weird. I mean the thought of driving around -- someone could have possible been murdered in it -- weird, frightening."
Goetz paid $8,200 for the vehicle, borrowing the money from his 401K and he thought he would eventually get his SUV back. Instead, he says when he called state police; they told him it was ruined.
"He told me they tore up the inside," says Goetz. "I think they took the seats out and they cut the carpet and upholstery."
When he asked police if he would be reimbursed, Goetz says they told him to call a lawyer. Instead he contacted his insurance carrier, but their response was 'seizures by governmental authorities are not covered.' We called state police hoping to get some answers for Goetz, but they wouldn't comment because of the ongoing murder investigation.
We tried the district attorney's office in Albany, but no one returned our call. Goetz says it's unfair that he should have to suffer the financial consequences.
"It's been a hassle," says Goetz. "More than anything, I just want a new vehicle or my money."
We also went to the dealer who sold Goetz the SUV to find out what he knew about its history. He wouldn't speak on-camera, but he told News10NBC he bought it at an auction in Syracuse in February and had no way of knowing that it would eventually be tied to a murder investigation. Goetz, meantime, has had to spend hundreds more to get an older car repaired and inspected so he would have something to drive.
As far as possible reimbursement for Goetz, we checked with the state Office of Victims Services. They provide compensation for crime-related expenses to victims, but because Goetz is not the victim in this case, it does not appear he would be eligible. We will continue to look into the case to see if there's any recourse, other any hiring a lawyer which Goetz says he can't afford to do.
What’s that site where you can go and check the history of a vehicle by inputting the VIN number?
I believe the VIN check would only cover whether the car had been in a salvage situation or not.
“but because Goetz is not the victim in this case, it does not appear he would be eligible.”
Theft under color of authority? Sounds like he is a victim to me.
“but because Goetz is not the victim in this case, it does not appear he would be eligible.”
Theft under color of authority? Sounds like he is a victim to me.
HIccup!
Okay - I thought it would also list a lien or some criminal activity since the cops had its ID and all.
They would show me a court order, or there would be a few loud noises.
Would be nice if that were the case but Car Fax only shows if the car was salvaged sadly.
“I see you have something,” said the government. “Give it to me.”
In the article: The name Shelby Countermine appears in the search warrant presented to Goetz.
I hope someone starts a “Go Fund Me Page” for this guy.
The police could have returned “the rest of the car/truck” to Goetz and then work out damages in a civil court action.
Who got to keep the good parts? The police? If so, what did they do with them? Sell them? Then the money goes to Goetz. If they keep the money, it is grand theft auto.
But then again, this is New York State which is run by a Gumba Thug Cuomo, and his Attorney General seems to be in trouble herself for misconduct.
Screw the victim. We are Democrats who “care” about the perps.
Isn’t there something in the bill of rights about this? Just compensation or something.
I used it when I bought my current vehicle. I’m glad I did because it soothed my worries about it since I bought it off a used car lot. So far it’s turned out to be a great SUV.
It can be helpful, however:
http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/usedcarhistoryreports.pdf
Even the police VIN check only tells you if the car may be stolen. Nothing about being used in the commission of a crime by a legal owner.
Yeah, too bad for that guy. I guess even the dealer isn’t responsible.
You had best love your effing government, because your government loves effing you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.