Stolen Cuda' -- legal owner cannot get it back!

[earntaz]

From FOX news -- A 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda reported stolen from a Portland garage 13 years ago was found last month in a local towing yard, but its owner can’t get it back.

KATU reports that Rick White got a letter from Budget Towing a few weeks ago, telling him the car was in storage there, but was about to be auctioned off due to thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.










White purchased the car new in 1970, modified it for drag racing, and competed with it at Portland International Raceway for many years.

After his garage was broken into in 2001, white went around to local car shows and swap meets handing out flyers like he was looking for a missing child, but to no avail, so he was ecstatic when he heard the news.

But when he reached out to the towing company, he was told the bills had since been paid by a man named Lee Sitton, and the car was gone.

White contacted police, but they said there was nothing they could do to get the car back, because the three-year statute of limitations for theft had expired.

How the car ended up at Budget Towing isn’t clear, but KATU briefly spoke to Sitton through the intercom at the gate to his home, and he told them that he bought the car years ago, has a bill of sale, and doesn’t believe it was stolen.

White still holds the title to the car, however, which Sitton should’ve filed within 30 days of purchase, according to Oregon law.

Police say they are currently looking into any legal avenues that might be available help White out, but so far their hands are tied.

White’s wife Jackie says Sitton should just give the car back and walk away.

[Pulnaway]

So, you can steal a car, hide it for 3 yrs and then its yours? Wow!

[njsteve]

The victim needs to get a decent lawyer...fast.

[427.060]

It seem like every couple months there is a new story about someone that had their car stolen 30 or 40 years ago and it was recently found and returned. Why should this one be any different?
James

[black69]

If he collected insurance money, he is better off trying to buy it back. If he gets it returned, he may be on the hook to pay back the insurance company. If I was him, I would go back to the insurance company, and let them go after this. All he has to tell them is he wants his car back, and would make up any difference to them if they get it back, less damage.
Insurance companies probably have lawyers they can throw at this without blinking. Especially if they paid him out 10K or 20k, who knows back in 2001. I am sure they would want a shot at getting their money back. He gets his car back and does not pay legal fees to do so.

If he did not have insurance, this is all a waste of time and interest to me. Should have had it insured.

[Tracker1]

UPDATE:

http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/D...-268550612.html

then have a listen to this - what a BS-artist this guy is:

https://soundcloud.com/thelarslarsonshow...stole-1970-cuda (https://soundcloud.com/thelarslarsonshow/lee-sitton-tries-to-justify-why-he-should-be-allowed-to-keep-richard-whites-stole-1970-cuda)

[Mr70]

Another link with vid..
http://www.hotrod.com/news/stolen_1970_cuda_found_after_14_years_still_not_re turned_to_owner/

[70 copo]

This just played out on a 1973 Camaro: http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270874

The guy with the car now is pretty much toast- the radio interview is embarrassing.

The Cuda will end no different...guy with the Cuda is in possession of Stolen Property.

[Keith Tedford]

A race car in a towing compound would attract attention. You would think that the word would get out. In the car world people talk about such stuff. The car would have a VIN to check back on. There were records of who the compound bought the car from and how long it was in the compound. If the car was lettered up for racing, someone would recognize it if the word got out. It wouldn't have been that hard to find the original owner.....if anyone wanted to. I'd be checking the compound people out VERY closely. I smell a rat there.

[iluv69s]

just watched the vid... I cannot imagine the sadness when the original owner of a hemi-cuda walked out in his garage and saw that it was stolen...and now the emotions that the car is located...and he cannot get it back !!

I hope justice prevails and the car is returned to the rightful and original owner !!

[Tracker1]

It was a 440 'Cuda. And now it's stripped:


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/shirowfan/photo2-2jpgoriginal_zpsc9c1aaaa.jpeg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/shi...ps8d722baa.jpeg

[scott s]

yea looks stripped ready for paint etc...nobody gonna steal the vinyl top!!

[earntaz]

It is just a matter of time before a lawyer who happens to be a car nut will pick up on this issue and provide assistance to Mr White. I will also say this may not turn out well for Mr Sitton or Mr Stanley -- it appears they are both may be felons at this point. Mr Sitton and Mr White will be out a lot of $$ when they have to defend their actions in court.

[Lynn]

The sol on possession of stolen property has not run. He is still in possession, and had reason to believe it was stolen when he bought it with no title.

Just need to know two things: Did the original owner report it as stolen? Seems academic, but if it isn't on the national list, he has a problem.

Secondly, did he collect insurance money? If so, he has no right to the car. I am guessing he did not if the original story is accurate, as it plainly states he has the title in his possession. Had he accepted the insurance proceeds, he would have surrendered the title to the insurer who now has the best claim to the vehicle.

[SS427]

Lynn, to answer a couple of your questions and to the best of my understandings, A)He DID report it stolen and B)He did NOT have insurance on the car as it was a race car at the time.

[Lynn]

I have a hard time believing the law is that much different in Oregon. Doesn't matter if the sol has run. It is still his property. Doesn't make any difference whether the original thief can be prosecuted. Somebody is in possession of stolen property.

Wish I knew a good lawyer in Oregon (good lawyer... now that's just funny). I would send the owner to that guy.

[earntaz]

Keith -- I strongly believe there is more than one RAT involved ... this is bordering on a conspiracy!

Oregon gear head lawyers -- Mr White needs assistance!!

[black69]

more details on this thread, looks like he got it back, and they are providing the parts taken off.
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...part=2&vc=1 (http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=8212267&page=1&fpart=2&v c=1)

[njsteve]

Where does it say he got it back?

[Tracker1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where does it say he got it back? </div></div>

It didn't...and he doesn't.

[wiiildcat]

it says he got it back and it was stripped. even has pictures of car after being stripped.

the return is here
http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/D...-268550612.html (http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/Deputies-seize-stolen-1970-Cuda-from-gated-estate-268550612.html)

[Tracker1]

&quot;The Whites were able to see the car Thursday for the first time in 13 years.&quot;

&quot;I'm elated,&quot; said Jackie White. &quot;Finally, the car's not in his garage, <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-style: italic">it'll be in ou</span>rs.</span> Where it belongs.&quot;


It's not in their garage yet. They got to SEE the car on Thursday, they didn't GET the car. It is at the Sheriff's Office as of Friday. There has been no follow-up that the car is back in their possession. None. The cops are working on reuniting significant parts of the drivetrain and interior with the car. But, hopefully, that will happen very soon.