Thought I would ask the brainpower here for thoughts/advice. I am currently traveling and always carry my P220 as my “Car/Travel” weapon I typically keep it and my EDC P365 in the hotel room but… this time, I left my P220 in the car and yes, it was taken along with laptop, iPad, eyeglasses, and some other misc stuff. Interesting they retrieved the iPad and laptop using the Apple “find my” APP but the weapon was not there. I have extended my stay here cooperating with local LE but 48 hours later, no luck. They have identified him from surveillance where the electronics were recovered but evidently can’t find him.

Do I chalk it up as a loss to my stupidity and just go home or hang around a few more days hoping they locate the guy?

Do I have any liability if it is used in a crime or God forbid… do harm to a person?

Thoughts?

Sucks that this happened to you. I'm sure you know it, so I won't spend time beating up on you about it.

Where did this happen? It seems that you've done your part- reporting it. That's required in some locales. Depending upon where you are, it may have at least taken liability off of you by doing that. Whether or not I'd stick around depends upon how close to home it is, though I'd likely head out. They can contact you if they manage to get it back, but I wouldn't hold on to too much hope for that.

I figured this would have happened in ABQ. That happens a LOT out here.

On a side note, was this your vehicle or a rental? If yours, have you considered a car safe/lock box? I use one in my truck. It won't prevent theft, but it will take them some time to break into it, so I'm hoping that will discourage them enough.

The legalities change from state to state. In my state I am not required to report lost or stolen guns. I have no liability, by statute if it is used in a crime, unless I am deemed to have been careless. Leaving a firearm in a locked vehicle, even an unlocked vehicle(if not in plain sight) is not considered careless despite what a significant amount of indoctrinated idiots say.

That said... unless it is a crime in the local jurisdiction where the theft took place, I'd report it.

I had a bicycle stolen out of the back of a locked car that was covered under homeowners insurance policy. Firearms may be different?

I'd report it. You may or may not ever see it again but it's also possible that info might help authorities connect it to some other crime or help solve a puzzle.
I always hate to hear anyone ask about a safe way to leave or secure a gun in a car/truck. They are such a tempting target and easily sold or traded by criminals.
Also so many potentially serious issues could result, way beyond the theft of other personal property.

I'm not so sure you'll get the weapon back any time soon, even if they find him and he is still in possession of it, because evidence...

I had 13 guns stolen from my home in 1981 (robbery--I was there and tied up); 3 in 1984 from an open garage (my carelessness); and 6 from a locked pickup truck (hidden) at my office (the whole truck was stolen). All were reported to the police, with descriptions and serial numbers. So far, 8 have been recovered.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by NMDave:

Do I have any liability if it is used in a crime or God forbid… do harm to a person?

Highly unlikely to no on liability. But, as ususal, you should consult with a lawyer in that state for a better answer.

Depends on what state your in, with storage laws, Massachusetts you'd likely be facing criminal charges for improper storage.

Go home, you won’t see that gun again.

Sorry to tell you that, but it’s the truth. In my career I recovered about a hundred stolen guns. I was able to return less than five because most were held for other cases(murders, rapes robbery)

My bro had a gun stolen in Tampa, 18 years later he gets a call from a sheriff in Orlando who had recovered the gun. The second gun at the same time has never surfaced.

File the insurance claim if you can. And try and harden the guns to prevent a future theft.

If you can’t afford a safe for the car, we used to tell our cops to handcuff your gun to the seat frame in your car if you had to go somewhere guns weren’t allowed. I still cuff my gun to the seat when I go to the VA.

quote:

Originally posted by spunk639:
Depends on what state your in, with storage laws, Massachusetts you'd likely be facing criminal charges for improper storage.

What a great reason to avoid that awful place.

just move on. if they recover it they will notify you afaik.

stolen guns are a frequent crime sadly.

one of the reasons i carry a serviceable but non high-value firearm when i travel.

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I think at a minimum by reporting it you have declared to police that it's not in your possession, should anything illegal happen down the line.

As for recovery, save the cost of the hotels and apply it to your replacement gun.

BTW, get a copy of the case. Keep it. Call that department routinely to tell them you want to be notified when or if it’s recovered. If your phone number changes, you will need to have the entering department your updated info.

When a hit is run and the officer sees the screen there is the original case number and a phone number to that department and a POC and to owners info. So you wanna keep up with that.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
I'm not so sure you'll get the weapon back any time soon...

My stolen pistol was recovered in Philadelphia in November 2020. I was notified of the recovery by the investigating detective who asked me few questions re: the facts of the theft. To date, the pistol is still in the possession of the PPD. In the event you are notified your property has been recovered, you may wish to obtain some basic information re: the case. At the time, I failed to ask the suspect's name, the case number or the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Explain to the officer this information may be of assistance in the future if you would need to inquire about the status of your property. Unfortunately, if your pistol was used in a homicide or other aggravated felony it may be many years (if ever) before it is released from evidence. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

MikeinNC… I am actually in Temple Texas. I am staying across from Scott & White while my Dad is recovering from a stroke. They actually live at the Grove so I got a room here to keep her from driving back and forth.

Flesheatingvirus… it was my locked vehicle. I drove here from Albuquerque last weekend and have kept it either on me or locked in the hotel safe… except this one time.

Flash guy… wholly shit. I am feeling pretty lucky to have only lost the pistol. You had a far worse experience!

So, by working with local LE (they have been awesome by the way) we know exactly who has/had it. Sad part is he is a Vet that was evicted from his home last week. Sad that a Vet that served our country, living across from the VA hospital (likely to be close to his Dr.) found himself in the position of nowhere to go for shelter and security. Knowing all this now, if I could find him I would help him get back in a home and try to keep in contact with him to ensure he doesn’t get himself in any more trouble.

Wife expecting me home this weekend so I am headed back to Albuquerque Saturday, chalk up the loss and never forget this lesson.

Sorry to hear about the stolen gun. I realize, situations vary, really try to not leave any in a vehicle unless I have eyes on it.

I have a trip out to UT penciled in for late April. I think you did all you can, hopefully the serial number gets entered into a database for such.

I wish your dad a speedy recovery.

Its nice that you can show compassion for the person who robbed you...I hope you get a chance to help him. Too many vets are falling through the cracks.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo Jones:
I wish your dad a speedy recovery.
.

Thanks Jimbo… it looks like they will be discharging him today!

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I had 13 guns stolen from my home in 1981 (robbery--I was there and tied up); 3 in 1984 from an open garage (my carelessness); and 6 from a locked pickup truck (hidden) at my office (the whole truck was stolen). All were reported to the police, with descriptions and serial numbers. So far, 8 have been recovered.

flashguy

You've got to be the most unlucky guy alive.