Police issued a warning about purchasing stolen goods in Thursday’s paper. They gave advice on – for example – what to inspect before buying a motor vehicle.
There was concern after it recently turned out several cars were bought without the new owners knowing they had been reported stolen before. At the same time, the release said many were resold at a price below their actual value.
The latter should already be an indication something might be amiss. The rule of thumb remains that when something seems “too good to be true” it probably is.
Tips posted on the police Facebook page include requesting the necessary documents and verifying the vehicle identification number (VIN). In case of doubt it’s best to “stay out” of any deal altogether.
Make no mistake, just like fencing, also knowingly accepting stolen property is a crime. The persons involved can usually claim ignorance, but stand a good chance of at least losing what they purchased without being able to obtain a refund.
However, it’s also a matter of common sense. People are not simply going to sell their belongings for far less than these are worth without some reason.
Do not get caught being penny-wise but pound-foolish and risking jailtime in the process.
