Stolen 4003 alert

[Kopfjaeger]

I looked up the statute of limitations on stolen property in NJ and it appears to be no more than 5 years.

If the original crime took place in Canada it might present an interesting international legal question. Laws vary not only by country, but also by state, and within a state there can be different classifications of theft with differing limitation periods (and who knows how many places the instrument has been before reaching NJ). Even then, the limitation might be on prosecution, and recovery might still be possible. There was a story a few years ago about a guy that had just recovered his Camaro that had been stolen in something like 1969.

I had my first Ric (white 1978 4001) stolen in 1989. I still keep my eyes open for it.

There is no statute of limitations on possessing stolen property in the state of New Jersey. it would be rather easy for the owner to get his property back. All he would need to do is contact the local PD and furnish a copy of the initial police report with the serial number stated on the report. The local PD could then seize the property. As long as the "butcher had all the documentation of purchasing the instrument then he would face no legal ramifications. he would be out of the cash he paid for it. There is a statute of limitations of theft and since the original theft occurred in Canada, prosecution for the theft would be difficult. This instrument may have been bought and sold several times since then, who knows. If there is no complainant then there is no crime and the butcher wins.

Sepp