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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d also call this bullying and harassment and complain all the way to the top (immediately go above the principals head) to have those students removed from school.

True. This too.

Total Violation of person and property.

Deal with the real police not the school. School should have escalated this.

[Anonymous]

Was this a friend playing a prank or something more aggressive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is how I lean too, especially with the information that it will be paid for by the family.

[Anonymous]

It looks like parent is going to pay the OP back. I think OP should drop it.

[Anonymous]

I would tell the mom thanks for the reimbursement, but I wouldn’t ask the county to go easy on him. He still (temporarily) stole a CAR. That is ballsy, especially in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would tell the mom thanks for the reimbursement, but I wouldn’t ask the county to go easy on him. He still (temporarily) stole a CAR. That is ballsy, especially in HS.

It’s a waste of county resources

[Anonymous]

Consider that this could just be kids pranking eachother.

[Anonymous]

I would try to get the money from the thief’s mom before she has a change of heart. If police don’t file any charges then the mom might think jbshe doesn’t have to pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell the mom thanks for the reimbursement, but I wouldn’t ask the county to go easy on him. He still (temporarily) stole a CAR. That is ballsy, especially in HS.

It’s a waste of county resources

Nah. It’s why I pay county taxes. Could be a gateway crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is how I lean too, especially with the information that it will be paid for by the family.

+1 I think you’re doing the right thing op. It’s a teenager and he is getting consequences either way through this whole thing and the county can decide next steps. Teenagers do dumb things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell the mom thanks for the reimbursement, but I wouldn’t ask the county to go easy on him. He still (temporarily) stole a CAR. That is ballsy, especially in HS.

It’s a waste of county resources

+1. The parents are paying. Assuming the kid doesn’t have a prior criminal history, nothing is going to happen to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is how I lean too, especially with the information that it will be paid for by the family.

+1 I think you’re doing the right thing op. It’s a teenager and he is getting consequences either way through this whole thing and the county can decide next steps. Teenagers do dumb things.

We actually have no idea if his parents or the school are giving him any consequences.

[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.

You sound very reasonable, OP. The kid needs to be shown the gravity of his actions by letting this proceed through law enforcement.

[Anonymous]

Kid made a real dumb mistake and was super lucky no one was hurt.

His parent immediately handled expenses.

Let it go.

Think about all the dumb stuff you got away with and show a little grace.

This culture is so punitive.

[Anonymous]

If the other kid's parents are now involved, why can't they make the kid "find" the key and give it back so the OP and family don't have to go through getting the car re-keyed? Ridiculous.

I'd still press charges, even after they reimburse for the re-keying. Their son's behavior is wrong, and they are just paying it off. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.