Recently, a man was scrolling through Craigslist when he found a 2023 model Porsche on sale for a good deal. After haggling over the phone, the would-be buyer got the price down to $35k – a price some might call a steal…
Unfortunately upon returning home, the buyer-turned-victim found employees from a luxury rental car company and the Bakersfield police waiting in his driveway claiming the vehicle belonged to them and that they were taking it. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and a search was initiated for the suspect. As of the time of the writing of this article, the victim is out $35k and the suspect is nowhere to be found.
In this situation the victim is not being charged with receiving stolen property because he did not know the vehicle was stolen and the suspect deceived him with false paperwork. However, in situations where the buyer is unable to explain why they have stolen merchandise, they might be charged with violating California Penal Code 496 PC – California’s receiving stolen property law.
496 PC makes it illegal to buy, receive, sell, conceal, or hold property that you know was obtained via theft or through extortion. The crime is a “wobbler” that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the case and the defendant’s prior criminal history.
Generally, when someone is charged with a misdemeanor they face up to 1 year in jail or summary probation and a fine of up to $1,000. Felony charges carry stiffer penalties, including up to 3 years in jail or formal probation and a fine of up to $10,000.
People end up with stolen property here and there, and when it happens there’s no reason to worry if you didn’t know it was stolen (and that can be proven).
The suspect in the case is still at large, though it is likely only for a short time.
