Son’s car keys were stolen at school and car was moved

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The police don’t have to tell you the name in order for you to press charges. Now if there is no evidence to support what OP is saying, that’s different, but if the boy is on camera doing it, OP can press charges.

No OP can’t press charges. Only a prosecutor can do that. OP can make a police report. But that’s the extent of her power.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP that the OP better be 1000% sure their kid didn’t actually give this other kid the keys or some sort of permission before calling the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all the people advising OP to call the police:

Anonymous wrote:The school has camera footage of the kid with the keys showing it to other students and the police are going to review more school camera footage tomorrow. The police and the school is not giving us information about the kid since he is a minor.

From the details that OP has been giving, it sounds like she has been working with campus police.

We are advising her to contact the real police. Campus police can withhold information, like the kid's identity or his parents' identities. The real police will not do that. If the kid or campus police are not forthcoming, she needs to involve the real police. They have the authority to demand compliance and campus police will not be able to conceal information to an official investigation.

This. We are not talking about the School Resource Officer here. And if I felt for a moment the school was not taking it seriously, I’d also go to the media. I live in Loudoun where school coverups are big news, so I would get takers for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son’s car keys were stolen from his backpack and the car was moved in the parking lot. The key fob was returned but the key was not. ....
We will need to get the car rekeyed and new keys made and would like to get reimbursed by the family of the kid who stole my son’s keys.
...Any advice?

Tell the school you will be filing a police report and pressing to have the perpetrator prospected to the full extend of the law. That if the school wants to make the family of the perpetrator aware of your intent and they would prefer to handle it outside of the courts, you would be open to a conversation.

In the meantime, file a police report and give the police time to do their job.

[Anonymous]

Balanced approach:

A prank joyride across the parking lot with no damage, that is obnoxious and deserves consequences, but is not worth the police's time or law enforcement.

Losing the key is a negligent tort and the at-fault party/parties should pay the cost of replacement locks and keys, since the car is not secure anymore. On you to prove whose fault it was.

[Anonymous]

File a police report and then file a claim with your car insurance. Let the insurance company get their money back - they are relentless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:File a police report and then file a claim with your car insurance. Let the insurance company get their money back - they are relentless.

For a KEY? My car insurance deductible is $1500 (and yours should be too!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all the people advising OP to call the police:

Anonymous wrote:The school has camera footage of the kid with the keys showing it to other students and the police are going to review more school camera footage tomorrow. The police and the school is not giving us information about the kid since he is a minor.

From the details that OP has been giving, it sounds like she has been working with campus police.

We are advising her to contact the real police. Campus police can withhold information, like the kid's identity or his parents' identities. The real police will not do that. If the kid or campus police are not forthcoming, she needs to involve the real police. They have the authority to demand compliance and campus police will not be able to conceal information to an official investigation.

Most high schools don't have "campus police". OP said the "police". I don't know why you don't believe OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:File a police report and then file a claim with your car insurance. Let the insurance company get their money back - they are relentless.

Not for $200 they aren’t.

Honestly, I’m glad I grew up at a different time. This is a prank gone bad because the key got lost. It doesn’t sound malicious or hurtful or dangerous - just immature, which is exactly what HS boys are. I hope someone steps up to the plate and gives OP the $200 to get her car rekeyed and I hope the police and prosecutors drop this and deal with real issues.

[Anonymous]

OP update:

I haven’t read all the responses as I had to work today but here is what has happened.

I spoke with the local police officer and the county attorney’s office is going to determine what happens next in terms of court proceedings etc. I asked the Officer if he could share my contact information with the student who stole my sons keys, took the car for a joyride, parked it in the parking lot and “lost” the key when questioned etc…
I also arranged to get the car and ignition rekeyed (cost $550).
The Mom contacted me and was super apologetic. She has offered to reimburse the cost of the rekeying.
We have the truck back.
We are going to let the Officer know that the family has reimbursed us and hope that will show some goodwill on the students part.
We are going to let the county determine the next steps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son’s car keys were stolen from his backpack and the car was moved in the parking lot. The key fob was returned but the key was not. The kid claimed that he gave the key to another student but he denies it.

We only had one key for the car as our son purchased it used from my FIL. Since the kid who stole the keys is a minor, we do not know who he is or his parents. He could still have the key for all we know.

We will need to get the car rekeyed and new keys made and would like to get reimbursed by the family of the kid who stole my son’s keys.

What are the rules here. We are mad about the whole thing. Any advice?

Was this in Alexandria? Did you report it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school has camera footage of the kid with the keys showing it to other students and the police are going to review more school camera footage tomorrow. The police and the school is not giving us information about the kid since he is a minor.

What a fing mess.

I’m soo sorry Op but this is such a violation of your property - backpack, vehicle, keys.

Reminds me when family friend teen house-sat for a neighbor friend. Teens and frenemies kept stopping by and things got out of control fast. Pot, vandalism, sleepovers, lying, stealing.
It had to get reported and the school involved, and all the security cam feeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. The key has not been returned. I was unable to leave work during the school day today when everything was happening and will ask to meet with the officer and principal tomorrow. I won’t leave the school until I get the parent’s name(s).

I’d be livid.

This needs to be fixed.

Sure I’d hold back pressing charges since they need to apply to college with a clean record, but I’d need to be made whole fast (ie operable car and key and apology).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP update:

I haven’t read all the responses as I had to work today but here is what has happened.

I spoke with the local police officer and the county attorney’s office is going to determine what happens next in terms of court proceedings etc. I asked the Officer if he could share my contact information with the student who stole my sons keys, took the car for a joyride, parked it in the parking lot and “lost” the key when questioned etc…
I also arranged to get the car and ignition rekeyed (cost $550).
The Mom contacted me and was super apologetic. She has offered to reimburse the cost of the rekeying.
We have the truck back.
We are going to let the Officer know that the family has reimbursed us and hope that will show some goodwill on the students part.
We are going to let the county determine the next steps.

WOW. Why are you hoping the mom cleaning up her son's mess shows goodwill on the student's part?

I would still proceed with charges, if given the opportunity, though I imagine since you've already spoken to the mom and are accepting the reimbursement, you're less likely to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually the other kids know though. OP doesn’t your kid know? If not, other kids definitely do.

Yeah you’re more likely to get it from kids than the school no matter how long you stay. But in the long run, I don’t see how you’re going to force someone to pay. There is so much he-said-he-said here and likely insufficient evidence to get you anywhere.

They have the perp on camera. I wouldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t make a scene in the school or anything but neither would I just let it be handled quietly and internally.

I’ve seen this handled with a letter. No lawyers necessary.

Return this and that or Repair this and that and charges will be dropped by end of week.