“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.
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.