RICHMOND, Va. – The VCU Police Department offered to help a local Vietnam veteran whose truck was stolen.
Earlier this week E.H. Thompson contacted CBS 6 Problem Solvers after he received a DMV notice that his stolen truck was actually going to be sold.The truck was stolen in March, and Thompson said he never received notice that it had been found.
The truck was towed to Capital Garage, and Thompson was being billed every day it sat there, unbeknownst to him.
E.H. Thompson
The garage offered to discount the amount he owed, which was over $1,200.
But Thompson said he thought he was on the right side of the law, and declined.
Richmond Police said the city's Department of Emergency Communications should have contacted Thompson. They said they did, once, but no contact or follow-up was made.
In Chesterfield and Henrico Counties, officers routinely give notice to victims. In Henrico, if the victim is not reached within 72 hours they send a certified letter.
CBS 6 contacted a legal analyst, who verified that state law said he should have been notified appropriately.
The statute says that when someone has a car stolen from them, when it is recovered, the government is required to send a notice by mail with a return receipt,” said CBS 6 analyst Todd Stone. “The victim of the theft has to pick up the car in five days and if they do there are no costs or expenses.”
Stone said that if it takes longer than five days and the victim has to pay, then he or she can seek reimbursement from the state treasurer.
After learning of Thompson’s plight, VCU Police came forward and offered to pay to get the truck released.
CBS 6 News is working for you. Click here to email a tip to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers. Be sure to leave us your name, phone number and detailed description of the problem. You can also leave a message by calling 804-254-3672.
