Louisville woman paid $1K for truck at police auction — but when it was delivered, valuable items were missing

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In 2023, Emily Howell bid $1,026 connected a 1996 GMC Sierra listed for auction by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) — mostly due to the fact that the photos showed a kayak, sportfishing poles and a toolbox she was funny in.

But erstwhile the motortruck was delivered she says each those items were gone. Her acquisition present appears to beryllium portion of a larger occupation astatine the LMPD tow lot, with employees having allegedly removed items from impounded cars earlier they went to auction. Howell calls it theft, but the instrumentality mightiness not beryllium truthful clear.

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"You don't bargain from people, you don't instrumentality things that aren't yours," Howell told WHAS11 News.

"Surely erstwhile you motion connected for a occupation similar that, you person to motion immoderate paperwork that says, 'Hey, we don't bargain from the community.'”

Tow batch employees caught connected video

An interior constabulary probe recovered that civilian employees astatine the Louisville tow batch were captured connected surveillance video taking items from cars slated for auction.

In footage from June 11, 2024, obtained by WHAS11, an on-duty batch attendant and a pistillate successful thoroughfare apparel tin beryllium seen walking done the "auction corral" and opening respective vehicles. At 1 point, the batch attendant leaves the framework carrying a suitcase they did not participate with. Another worker is besides seen rifling done different vehicles.

An LMPD spokesperson provided the pursuing connection to WHAS11:

"The screenshots you provided picture 2 civilian tow batch employees taking items from vehicles successful the LMPD tow batch anterior to auction. When LMPD became alert of this incidental past year, we instantly launched a transgression probe done our Public Integrity Unit (PIU). The PIU conducted a lengthy investigation, reviewing surveillance videos and conducting interviews. Following this investigation, the PIU referred the lawsuit to the Jefferson County Attorney's Office (JCAO), which yet recommended that transgression charges not beryllium filed. After examining each the evidence, the JCAO determined a condemnation connected immoderate transgression complaint was unlikely. However, this lawsuit remains an unfastened and progressive interior probe wrong LMPD."

The region attorney’s letter, obtained by WHAS11, identified 1 antheral and 1 pistillate arsenic the subjects of the probe but did not supply circumstantial reasons for declining to record charges.

At this time, it appears nary employees person been fired oregon disciplined, reports WHAS11. And erstwhile asked for a connection by the quality channel, LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey declined to remark connected specifics, citing an ongoing interior investigation.

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Who owns the contents of a car astir to spell to auction?

According to WHAS11, Kentucky instrumentality and Louisville Metro codes authorities that vehicles impounded for 45 days go authorities property. However, ownership of idiosyncratic items wrong the cars remains a grey area. Local ordinances let archetypal owners to retrieve idiosyncratic belongings until the auction merchantability is finalized. After that, unclaimed items whitethorn go the spot of the authorities oregon the buyer, depending connected section policy.

This deficiency of clarity tin make situations similar Howell's, wherever buyers presume the car and everything wrong it volition beryllium theirs, lone to find invaluable items missing.

There is nary national instrumentality that intelligibly states whether idiosyncratic items wrong auctioned vehicles indispensable beryllium included successful the sale. Federal auction partners typically merchantability items "As-Is/Where-Is", meaning buyers person the conveyance and immoderate is wrong astatine the clip of sale, unless the listing specifies otherwise.

Planning to bargain an auctioned car? Here's what you request to know

Buying a car astatine auction tin sometimes consciousness similar winning the lottery, but buyers request to bash their homework to debar disappointment.

1. Research section statutes

Understand who owns the car's contents astatine auction. Some cities let archetypal owners to assertion items up until the infinitesimal of sale; others whitethorn automatically see idiosyncratic spot with the vehicle.

2. Ask wide questions

If you are bidding connected a conveyance due to the fact that of circumstantial items pictured wrong it, similar Howell did, interaction the auctioning bureau earlier placing your bid. Ask whether those items are guaranteed to travel with the vehicle.

3. Get it successful penning if possible

If an auction location oregon authorities bureau says items are included, effort to get that successful writing. Verbal assurances whitethorn not clasp up if disputes originate aft the purchase.

4. Inspect if allowed

Some auctions let imaginable buyers to inspect the vehicles successful idiosyncratic oregon virtually. Use that accidental to cheque for the items you are funny successful and clarify immoderate doubts.

5. Manage your expectations

Auction vehicles, particularly impounded ones, are typically sold as is. Personal items, adjacent if pictured, whitethorn not beryllium guaranteed to beryllium included erstwhile you purchase.

While national auctions typically see everything wrong the conveyance unless noted otherwise, authorities and section rules tin alteration widely. If you're bidding connected a car for what's wrong it, beryllium definite to inquire questions and work the good print, due to the fact that erstwhile the gavel drops, what's missing whitethorn beryllium gone for good.