How to Prove That My Ex- Stole My Property After We Separated
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wisconsin
In May 2014, a Harley Davidson jacket that had been given to me as a gift went missing from my apartment. There was one other item that was also missing. The jacket was given to me by my boyfriend at the time (I had filed for divorce, but it was not yet final), and the other item belonged to my boyfriend. I suspected but never had proof that my ex-husband was the one who took it... until now. My daughter knew about the jacket going missing and just two days ago, she texted me a photo of my ex's current girlfriend wearing the same jacket with the remark: I think Kim is wearing your jacket. Isn't this the one that went missing?
Unfortunately, that jacket is a HD staple and is still available in most HD stores and online. I am checking to see if there is a way from the serial numbers in the jacket to determine from which HD store it was sold. Mine came from a store in Orlando, FL where my boyfriend bought it while on vacation, and we live in Wisconsin. If I can prove that "her" jacket came from Florida, and he claims to have bought it in Wisconsin, do I have a case for theft? I confronted my ex about the jacket and he would not discuss it with me and was instead more interested in finding my 13 year old daughter to scream at her for texting me the photo. He claims that he purchased the jacket for his ex about two months ago and mentioned to my daughter that he knew mine had been missing for two years. I NEVER SAID A WORD TO HIM ABOUT THE JACKET, so how would he know it was missing for two years? And, I replaced it with an identical one shortly after it was stolen and have worn it in front of him on numerous occasions. The first time I wore the replacement in front of him after the original went missing, he looked like he'd seen a ghost. I was 99% sure at that point that he had stolen it. Do I have proof enough to pursue this criminally?
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
You might be 99% sure, in your mind, but you have absolutely no EVIDENCE for criminal prosecution.
If you had a record of YOUR serial number on a receipt or in a photograph, THEN you might have evidence for criminal prosecution if your ex's serial number is the same.
Finding out the store where HIS serial number was purchased is meaningless and no DA is going to touch it without EVIDENCE that proves beyond reasonable doubt that your ex stole it, especially if you are talking a couple of hundred dollars or so.
However, the standard of proof in small claims court is less rigorous and only requires a preponderance of the evidence. Frankly, I don't think you even have that but small claims court is cheap and informal. Up to you if you want to take a shot at it.
Or, you can just get over it and stay over it.
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
Granted, I only glanced at this but there might be a SOL issue: clicky clicky
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
Many moons ago, my ex 'absconded' with a lot of memorabilia that I'd collected since childhood. Fortunately I was able to recover the majority.....albeit not from her directly, nor in her presence! :p I'M NOT IN ANY WAY ADVOCATING OR ENDORSING "alternative" RECOVERY METHODS!!!!!!!
Whatever you do, please use LEGAL means!
After that I realized that experience is the best teacher, and subsequent exes didn't get away with jack squat.
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
I don't know if you are an attorney, adjusterjack, but I certainly hope you are not a doctor, because your bedside manner SUCKS. I have, what I consider to be, a serious issue. If you want to make light of it, I suggest you keep your sarcastic comments to yourself.
The serial number that I'm referring to is the one on MY jacket that he stole, which is in his possession. If it came from Florida and he claims he purchased it in Wisconsin, it proves that he isn't telling the truth, so don't tell me it's meaningless. I have a receipt for the one I bought in Wisconsin, and my boyfriend has the receipt for the one he bought in Florida. I can guarantee you that my ex cannot provide such evidence.
Have a fantastic day, and think twice before you dismiss someone else's problems by telling them to "just get over it and stay over it."
This does not give me much confidence in this website.
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
Quote:
Quoting
astockinger
I don't know if you are an attorney, adjusterjack, but I certainly hope you are not a doctor, because your bedside manner SUCKS. I have, what I consider to be, a serious issue. If you want to make light of it, I suggest you keep your sarcastic comments to yourself.
The serial number that I'm referring to is the one on MY jacket that he stole, which is in his possession. If it came from Florida and he claims he purchased it in Wisconsin, it proves that he isn't telling the truth, so don't tell me it's meaningless. I have a receipt for the one I bought in Wisconsin, and my boyfriend has the receipt for the one he bought in Florida. I can guarantee you that my ex cannot provide such evidence.
Have a fantastic day, and think twice before you dismiss someone else's problems by telling them to "just get over it and stay over it."
This does not give me much confidence in this website.
Please feel free to hire an attorney to tell you what you'd prefer to hear.
Have a sparkly day!
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
I would think it rather unusual to put serial numbers on clothing, even for HD. Serial numbers are typically placed on more durable goods such as appliances, electronics power tools, vehicles, etc. Are you sure you're not looking at a product number or UPC code?
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
Quote:
Quoting
souperdave
Many moons ago, my ex 'absconded' with a lot of memorabilia that I'd collected since childhood. Fortunately I was able to recover the majority.....albeit not from her directly, nor in her presence! :p I'M NOT IN ANY WAY ADVOCATING OR ENDORSING "alternative" RECOVERY METHODS!!!!!!!
Whatever you do, please use LEGAL means!
After that I realized that experience is the best teacher, and subsequent exes didn't get away with jack squat.
Subsequent exes as in plural ???????
ya have to know when it's time to just stop repeating the same pattern of unsuccessful practices.
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
Quote:
Quoting
astockinger
I don't know if you are an attorney, adjusterjack, but I certainly hope you are not a doctor, because your bedside manner SUCKS. I have, what I consider to be, a serious issue. If you want to make light of it, I suggest you keep your sarcastic comments to yourself.
The serial number that I'm referring to is the one on MY jacket that he stole, which is in his possession. If it came from Florida and he claims he purchased it in Wisconsin, it proves that he isn't telling the truth, so don't tell me it's meaningless. I have a receipt for the one I bought in Wisconsin, and my boyfriend has the receipt for the one he bought in Florida. I can guarantee you that my ex cannot provide such evidence.
Have a fantastic day, and think twice before you dismiss someone else's problems by telling them to "just get over it and stay over it."
This does not give me much confidence in this website.
Whether you liked his delivery or not, his advice was accurate. The odds of getting a DA to prosecute your ex on this matter are slim to none. The odds of getting the police interested in investigating are also slim to none.
Re: My Husband Stole a Harley Davidson Jacket from My Apartment While We Were Separat
I suppose it's too much to ask not to have people give me snarky BS comments. You have a "sparkly" life. Bye, Felecia.
I didn't actually think they would be "serial" numbers. But there are several different numbers in two different places in the jacket that might indicate something that could tie the item to a specific store or geographic location. Thanks for at least giving me a non-snarky response. I'm not a complete idiot and do NOT like being treated like one. #Adjusterjackisajerk