AndyK

I'm from NYC, so saying "don't leave a stranger with a ton of money sitting on the table" wont help, but it's what I thought right off the bat.

If there's no statute of limitations, I say talk to the local authorities, and say you've been spending all this time trying to track the guy down, or talk the father into helping. Since he refuses, you've decided to go the legal route, etc...

Good luck. Lucky he didn't have a stack of paper in the shape of bills, with a real $20 on top...like in the movies!

porshhhh951

I am sorry but, WTF Why should the car get punished.....its the innocent one.

jcb928

"His dad, a wealthy doctor who now owns his own business would not even speak with me on the matter."

Do you know the business name/number? Phone every hour on the hour. Then phone the fathers cell, leave messages if he doesn't answer and don't worry about his voice mail being full, If you can't leave a message nobody else can either. Kept doing this until they pay or charge you with harassment. Maybe tape the line "F U, Pay Me" from Goodfellas and leave that over and over

Jim 944S

Come to think of it, your telephone bill will have recorded the date and times of your calls to the culprit and his father and could be used to establish claim to your attempts to collect.

Again, good luck with this.

Jim 1987 944S

jonnybgood

Criminal charge in Florida, cops there are not going to go across the country to pursue some punk thief.

Civil case requires you filing in county of defendants' jurisdiction, ie Sacramento if that is where the punk lives. If you have the time and will power file a small claims action in Scramento. You might win you might not. Defendant's and plaintiffs are given one free no show at small claims so if the kid knows this he can not show and they will reschdule meaning another cross country trip for you. Even if you win collecting is another matter. All of this is a PITA, its your call.

A well written letter from a Florida attorney to his father might shake some money loose.

Sorry you got the short end.

PorscheDoc

If you haven't noticed yet, cars don't have feelings. They are a hunk of steel.