Q: Can I call the police if my aunt took my belongings worth $225 in Seattle, WA?
I am a 19-year-old and live in Seattle, WA. Earlier today, my aunt took an iPad worth $200 and a PS4 controller worth $25 from my home because I didn't clean up. I have receipts to prove ownership. Can I call the police to report this situation?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In Seattle, taking someone's belongings without permission can be considered theft, regardless of family relationships. Given that you have receipts proving ownership of the items, you have grounds to involve law enforcement.
You can file a police report with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to document the incident. SPD allows residents to report certain property crimes online, including thefts. However, online reporting is typically intended for cases with no known suspects. Since you know your aunt took the items, it's advisable to file the report by calling SPD's non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011 or visiting a local precinct in person.
When filing the report, provide all relevant details, including descriptions of the items, their value, and any evidence of ownership. Be prepared to explain your relationship to the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Keep in mind that while SPD will document the report, they may not conduct a full investigation, especially if the items are recovered and there are no further leads. However, having an official report can be essential for insurance purposes.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
