Intellectual Property Law

What is the Statue of Limitations for stolen property?

about 2 months ago i purchased a computer ($600) off of someone on cragislist. The next day after some digging I found out that it was stolen and contacted the owner. After some emails back and forth the police said that I could return it to the rightful owner. Being that he lives 2 hours away, he wanted me to ship it. I asked him to please come pick it up because I did not feel comfortable shipping the computer. I have not heard from him since Oct. 15th. I live in California and was wondering if anyone can tell me what the Statue of Limitations is for him to request the property back? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. 7 years
2. Don't think there were any. If both he and you knows about it, you really got to return it or your risking lawsuit/police intervention. I'd make him pay for shipping though. Also, I would find out if he got any insurance reimbursements from the theft. The computer is as good as yours then.
3. California Penal Code section 485 comes to mind… “One who finds lost property under circumstances which give him knowledge of or means of inquiry as to the true owner, and who appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another person not entitled thereto, without first making reasonable and just efforts to find the owner and to restore the property to him, is guilty of theft.” In answer to your question, the police can charge you with theft anytime within the next ten months and then they may arrest you for your offense within a year or so after that. The clock is ticking. Requesting payment for shipping sounds reasonable. If the owner complies and you keep that too then you're double guilty. If he refuses then take it as far as your nearest Sheriff's Station or local Police Department. Contact the owner and provide him the address of the location where you left it so he can come to pick it up. After waiting a few months, contact the Police to see if it is still there unclaimed. If so, ask if there is a finders-keepers law that entitles you to request the property back. */End of Line.