Punks trespass, property damage, cops want help getting abandoned jeep, need advice

[ruffdog]

About 2am the police were chasing this jeep as there were complaints of trespass. The Jeep, after being on at least 3 farmers land, took off across the fields and drove through my parents fence. My parents old Christmas tree farm now has 15 to 20 foot tall trees and he was mowing them over. He half got through the fence again when his vehicle couldn't move any more because of trees stuck under it and leaking transmission fluid.

The police want us to use our tractor to get it where a wrecker can get it. That means pulling it through the fence again and going 3/4 of a mile across 2 properties, one of which said NO, LET HIM FIGURE IT OUT!. Or, we could pull it up through the woods, hills, and small trails to get it up by the barn and driveway. The tractor is a Case 1390 4x4 with a loader, loaded ag tires.

I told my dad not to touch the jeep until we know OUR liabilities for damage to the vehicle. The guy could say: Yeah, I ran some trees over and through your fence, but you damaged my vehicle more so you owe ME money. (this is just me thinking here) Also, why would we do all this work with out being paid for it?

Well, my parents are getting damage estimates and getting the police report and talking with insurance office. What kind of lawyer should they look for to help them with decisions? Could they just say: It's your problem to figure out how to get the jeep out of there?

ANY comments and advice is welcome.

 

[BLUE ME]

A bic lighter would be my solution.

 

[mddorange]

Yes they could but whomever the police send out might do even more damage because they don't care. I had a friend where that very thing happened and the town told them tough when they wanted compensation.

 

[MrWhippy]

Film and photograph everything associated with the Jeep incident. Seal the memory cards in an evidence bag and get it notarized. Tell them to figure out how to Jeep out themselves and then give them written notice they are responsible for all damage caused. If the town doesn't want to pay compensation, carry your evidence to an attorney's office and sue them for damages.

We are not servants of the government, they don't have the right to treat our property as they choose. It's time governments figure out they aren't "Lords of the Manor".

 

[CobyRupert]

A bic lighter would be my solution.

I was just going to say: "Hope an odd bolt of lightning doesn't strike it."

 

[Bird]

Yep, you probably should contact an attorney for advice. I have no idea what our own laws are now, much less those in your state, but I can remember a time when a vehicle that crashed and wound up on private property in Dallas, could be kept there by the property owner, if he wished, until he was paid for the damage done.

 

[groundcover]

CJ-5 with four wheel drive sittin out back of the jail !

 

[Silvic]

At a minimum if you touch the jeep find out what the wrecker fees are, not for on-road recovery but for off-road recovery, and charge that on a per hour basis from the time your tractor leaves the barn until it is back in the barn. I would absolutely agree about seeking lawyer advice and add that to the bill. Is it even accessible by an off-road equipped wrecker-truck? As was pointed out what damage would they do that you could avoid?
Finally are the police asking you to get it out for them to impound or for the owner that they presumably arrested. It is quite well impounded in its current condition. Will improved weather conditions make recovery better if you wait?

 

[forgeblast]

Cut it in to manageable pieces let them carry it out

 

[square1]

Cut it in to manageable pieces let them carry it out

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