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

[Anonymous]

Police pursuing this unauthorized car borrow are police not tracking down fentanyl.

Be an adult and handle it privately, unless the other family refuses to take responsibility. The police aren't your nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Police pursuing this unauthorized car borrow are police not tracking down fentanyl.

Be an adult and handle it privately, unless the other family refuses to take responsibility. The police aren't your nanny.

The key thief stole the car and caused $550 worth of damage, leaving the car undrivable. That is worth calling the police.

OP, I wouldn't let up until you have that money from the other kid's mother. It's one thing to say they'll make it right, it's another to actually make it right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Police pursuing this unauthorized car borrow are police not tracking down fentanyl.

Be an adult and handle it privately, unless the other family refuses to take responsibility. The police aren't your nanny.

The key thief stole the car and caused $550 worth of damage, leaving the car undrivable. That is worth calling the police.

OP, I wouldn't let up until you have that money from the other kid's mother. It's one thing to say they'll make it right, it's another to actually make it right.

The police aren't going to fix the car.

[Anonymous]

Op, what is your son’s relationship to this kid? Are they friends or was this really a bullying incident?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Dumb to do this but idiotic to “lose” the keys.

I mean wtf. I really don’t believe that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Police pursuing this unauthorized car borrow are police not tracking down fentanyl.

Be an adult and handle it privately, unless the other family refuses to take responsibility. The police aren't your nanny.

Where do they care about fentanyl?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

As somebody mentioned upthread, OP has no ability to "press charges." That isn't a thing.

She already involved the police and a report is filed. Now the police/prosecutor gets to decide whether to prosecute. And they won't.

There is no private right to prosecute in this country, regardless of what your TV dramas might tell you.

[Anonymous]

OP (last update). The Mom of the kid who stole my son’s car reimbursed us for the cost of rekeying.

We do not know the identity of the boy and the passenger who was with him on their joyride. This was just an opportunistic kid who found himself in the position to steal a car and went for it. This is not a case of bullying etc.

My kid learned a lesson about trusting his bags would be safe on a school field unattended.

The school resource officer was very helpful as was the local police.

I feel bad for the parent of the kid who did this and gave her my sympathies and well wishes. We have three teenage sons and I cannot fathom any of them doing such a thing. I am glad this is over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP (last update). The Mom of the kid who stole my son’s car reimbursed us for the cost of rekeying.

We do not know the identity of the boy and the passenger who was with him on their joyride. This was just an opportunistic kid who found himself in the position to steal a car and went for it. This is not a case of bullying etc.

My kid learned a lesson about trusting his bags would be safe on a school field unattended.

How did you talk with her, and she reimburse you, without you knowing who she is?

The school resource officer was very helpful as was the local police.

I feel bad for the parent of the kid who did this and gave her my sympathies and well wishes. We have three teenage sons and I cannot fathom any of them doing such a thing. I am glad this is over.

[Anonymous]

How did you talk with her, and she reimburse you, without you knowing who she is?

[Anonymous]

OP, sorry you and your son had to go through this, but glad it worked out in what sounds like a relatively quick and painless way for you.

I also applaud you for standing up for your son/property while also not taking an overly vindictive stance. I think your handling of this including your attitude and tone in relaying it here are admirable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The police are protecting the identity of the thief because he's a minor? This is interesting. Which county is this?

How did the police suggest you all be compensated for this inconvenience? I'm guessing since the key was returned, they're considering the issue closed and resolved?

This is very common.

My DD was being bullied and did not tell me. I was contacted by her counselor after an incident in which water was dumped through her gym locker, soaking her clothes that were in there while wearing her PE clothes. The counselor and Principal both said they couldn't give me the students' names or their exact punishment details due to privacy concerns.

This sounds like FCPS - good luck with FCPS "Restorative Justice" - it means that the perp will not get punished, and their parents know this. That perp has been in trouble before, I guarantee it. That perp will be in trouble again.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one who feels like this is the kid’s lesson to learn? He should have secured the keys. The consequence is he needs to either get the key back, or take the bus until he can earn/save the $550 to rekey it.

At this age, shouldn’t the parents be as hands off as possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one who feels like this is the kid’s lesson to learn? He should have secured the keys. The consequence is he needs to either get the key back, or take the bus until he can earn/save the $550 to rekey it.

At this age, shouldn’t the parents be as hands off as possible?

Huh? Did you even read the post? The kid was at sports practice and the key was in his backpack. Is he supposed to field baseballs or grip a lacrosse stick with his car keys in his hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one who feels like this is the kid’s lesson to learn? He should have secured the keys. The consequence is he needs to either get the key back, or take the bus until he can earn/save the $550 to rekey it.

At this age, shouldn’t the parents be as hands off as possible?

You should be able to leave your keys in your bag and not have someone go through it. If this occurred in any setting besides a school it would be considered theft and prosecuted. The ops teen did learn a lesson.

The ops kid learned a lesson on why we do secure our property. Sadly, we have to do it to reduce temptation for thieves. Just because a person leaves their front door unlocked doesn't mean you have the right to break into their home and steal their stuff.

These are teens. Parents should be involved. Teens lack the development to make decisions so do some young adults. Having a parent to support and guide you without infantalizing is important. The kids who moved the car will hopefully learn from this too. He's lucky it was only $550, the car wasn't in an accident and that it was a school setting likely in the burbs and people are more understanding.