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“My Car Keys Weren’t There”: Woman Furious With Stepdaughter Who Gets Her Son Arrested
Going outside and noticing that your car is gone is many people’s worst nightmare. A thousand thoughts might run through your head. Who took it? When did it happen? Will I ever get it back?
One woman says she knew the answers immediately when her car vanished from her parents’ driveway after a family dinner one night. Her half-brother had asked to borrow the vehicle, and she’d said no. But the cocky 19-year-old took it anyway, while nobody was looking. When he ignored her calls, the woman phoned the police and reported the car stolen…
RELATED:
Refusing to accept no for an answer, this 19-year-old took his half-sister’s car and disappeared for hours
Image credits: Vladdeep / Envato (not the actual photo)
When he ignored her calls, she phoned the cops and had him arrested
Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages / Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: RS3770967
Be warned! Using someone’s vehicle without their permission is a society/”>crime
While the law varies from state to state in America, it is generally considered a crime to use someone’s vehicle without their permission. In New York, it carries the potential of jail time and a hefty fine.
“To legally operate another person’s vehicle, consent or permission must be obtained from the owner,” explains criminal defense lawyer Julie Rendelman. “Something as straightforward as asking a friend to borrow their truck for a week, but taking two weeks to return it could see charges being brought against you for unauthorized use of a vehicle.”
New York Penal Law 165.05 is also known as the “joyriding statute.” It breaks up “unauthorized use of a vehicle” into three categories:
- If a person knows that they don’t have the consent of the owner, but still takes, operates, exercises control over, rides in, or otherwise uses the vehicle
- If a person has been granted lawful possession of the vehicle in order to perform a specific service for the owner – for example, mechanical repairs – but operates the vehicle for their own personal use
- If a person has the owner’s consent to borrow their vehicle and return it at a specified time, but intentionally keeps the vehicle beyond that time limit
According to Rendelman, if a teenager’s parents (or, in this case, half-sister) forbid them to use their car, and the teen disobeys and takes it anyway, it’s considered a crime. Even if the teenager intends to return the vehicle before anyone finds out. The expert says the same applies if someone takes their car to a mechanic and he/she use the vehicle for personal use while it is in their care.
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
“You borrow a car from a friend, and agree to return it within a week. You keep the car for three weeks without seeking permission from your friend,” adds the lawyer. “Here you may end up having a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle being brought against you, as you’ve failed to ask for consent from the vehicle’s owner and broken the agreement you made.”
The expert notes that unauthorized use of a vehicle is not the same as vehicle theft and here’s why: “In an unauthorized use of a vehicle charge, the defendant may intend to return the motor vehicle to the owner, whereas in a case of theft, a person has no intention of returning it to the owner thereof.”
You could face jail time of up to one year, a fine of $1000, or both if found guilty of using someone’s vehicle without their consent. However, if you’re caught and found guilty of doing the same again, it’ll be worse. “A repeat conviction within ten years of a prior offense is a class E felony, and carries with it a risk of up to five years’ jail time. You may also face a fine of up to $5000,” warns Rendelman.
North Dakota-based law firm Nilson Brand Law warns that if you’re convicted of unauthorized use of a vehicle by a court in that state, you face a class A misdemeanor.
“The crime carries a maximum prison sentence of one year and a fine of up to $3,000,” adds the site. “However, if the vehicle’s retrieval and restoration cost exceeds $1,000, the crime is enhanced to a class C felony. A class C felony conviction carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.”
Wherever you find yourself, the bottom line is that you should always ask for permission to use another person’s vehicle. And if they say no? Well, you’ve been warned…
“Homie stole your car”: many agreed that the guy got what he deserved
Some felt the entire family should, and could, do better
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What do you think ?
Becky Samuel 3 days ago
The YTA answers are selfish and not considering the consequences of what happens when things go wrong. Without valid insurance it's a risk to everyone.
BlackestDawn 2 days ago
They are also delusional with "you could have disciplined him later" and "settle within the family". With those parents that would not happen in a million years. If it was possible for OP to discipline her brother or settle within the family it would have already been done years prior, thus this situation being very unlikely to have happened in the first place.
Load More Replies...
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 3 days ago (edited)
Seriously, press charges anyway. Your family fucƙing sùcks, sorry OP.
Binky Melnik 3 days ago
Wow. The people thinking she’s the аsshole want her to sυck up any potential insurance costs, repair costs, and the lawsuit should he maim or killl someone. That’s not how it works, dummies, and no, she DIDN’T know where he or her car were. She had no idea whether he’d driven off with her or worse, was committing a crime in it. Looks as Fl she needs to stay the hell away from stepmom and brother, and if this means she can’t see dad, well, its dad’s fault for enabling these fools with no morals. I would have gone 🦍💩 if someone did this to me! “He only borrowed it.” Taking without permission is STEALING, not “borrowing,” and his folks have been doing his NO favors by allowing him to behave like an аsshole. I *hope* he has a felony; its the only way he’ll learn, since his parents can’t be bothered to teach him!
Janelle Collard 3 days ago
THe YTAers and ESHers are delulu as usual. OP did the right thing + I hope she went NC with dad, step-mom, step-bro + their whole side of the famiy. Step-mom *lied* to the police - step-bro was specifically told NO, he can't borrow the car.
Michelle C 2 days ago
This is how monsters that lack self control and respect are created....Mom and dad will soon learn the errors of their ways when he becomes too demanding to control. Half or whole brother I would've called the police and pressed charges because if the parent won't teach him boundaries I sure as hell will make sure he learns mine.
SheamusFanFrom1987 2 days ago
YTA and ESH fuggnuts, I hope somebody "borrows" your cars, PERMANENTLY and without telling you either!!! OP's step-s*h*i*t*bling deserves the ride downtown for his spoilt behind to learn that consequences exist when you "borrow" things without permission!!! I also hope OP pushes on and makes a confession to the police that her step-enabler told the s*h*i*t*bling that he could borrow the car without her permission and that her s***m-donor was the one that told her to lie on report!!! That whole b*m-a*s*s bunch deserve to spend some time downtown, if not the slammer!!! One of these days, their "borrowed" luck is gonna run out and they'll be the ones being driven downtown!!! SMH!!! >:-(
Dirk Daring 2 days ago
I learned long ago how to deal with a manipulative guilt trip by going full UNO Reverse and volleying back a bigger one. "You called the cops? But but but he's FAMILY!" Yeah, so am I. You STOLE from your FAMILY?! How could you DO something like that? Don't you care about your family AT ALL? Did you steal my car to go buy d***s?
Bookworm 2 days ago
This is from 5 years ago and the account is banned so unable to check for updates. I hope OP listened to the people telling her she needed to tell the police her stepmom lied when she said stepbrother had permission. Otherwise she could have been charged with filing a false report.
Livingwithcfs 3 days ago
If he feels he can steal the car from his half sister then he'll feel enabled to steal from others. At 19 he's old enough to know right from wrong. So calling the police was perfectly valid and hopefully might teach him a lesson at the same time
R Dennis 2 days ago
Fuuuuuck all the YTAs and ESHs. Theft is theft. Not only would I call the police but, depending on his attitude, I might push hard for prosecution. Just because he's family does mean he gets to victimize people. Might as well get their kid a young lawyer - he's probably going to need one often.
Robyn Hill 3 days ago
BTDT. Niece was supposed to be making payments on a car I sold her. She stopped. I couldn’t get ahold of her. I let my family talk me out of suing her or taking the car back, and I will always regret that, especially since they treat me like c**p anyway. I hope she presses charges against him. He’s 19. Time he grew up.
Apatheist Account2 2 days ago
This shouldn't happen. Payment should be made in full at the time of purchase, they should take out a loan themselves if they don't have the cash. Otherwise, get any arrangements in writing, and sue them or repossess the car if they break the agreement.
Load More Replies...
Lee Gilliland 2 days ago
He "borrowed" nothing. He TOOK because he thought there weren't going to be consequences, because there never had been before ( this ain't the first time he's pulled this, folks, look at mommy's reaction). Now there are. Shame he has to grow up, but there it is.
Mark Childers 2 days ago
That kid has a mommy and a daddy who aren't doing their jobs of raising a responsible and productive human being. They're raising an entitled, selfish person who takes things that aren't his. Better to have family teach him the lesson instead of someone else. Now hopefully he'll never take someone else's car, but he's still young and dumb and probably will.
KatSaidThat 2 days ago
Taking something without permission is theft. Especially when you have been told no already. Here's a slice of maturity. Use it for good.
Michele campfens 1 day ago
The Legal ramifications if he had been in an accident, outweigh any familial tie. You were covering yourself, waiting till he got home would have been too late. Parents are making him into an entitled brat by supporting him over you. I would document a letter to them, telling them of your concern in regards to his theft and other concerning behaviour. That should his criminal behaviour escalate in future, you will not contribute in any way to him escaping full consequences. Keep a copy. They sound like the kind of parents that would expect you to help financially to any legal costs.
Motivated sloth 1 day ago
Obviously NTA but I don’t understand OPs somewhat combative response (the last one she responded to) because, yes, that person was absolutely agreeing with you.
E M 2 days ago
Anyone saying ESH or YTA to OP is out of their d**n minds. Half-brother could've crashed or damaged her car and OP would be on the hook for it. Sounds like stepmon and her side have made excuses for him his whole life. I hope OP does NOT drop the charges and lets the police know stepmom lied to protect half-brother. Shame on the dad too, for letting OP down.
Becky Samuel 3 days ago
The YTA answers are selfish and not considering the consequences of what happens when things go wrong. Without valid insurance it's a risk to everyone.
BlackestDawn 2 days ago
They are also delusional with "you could have disciplined him later" and "settle within the family". With those parents that would not happen in a million years. If it was possible for OP to discipline her brother or settle within the family it would have already been done years prior, thus this situation being very unlikely to have happened in the first place.
Load More Replies... The_Nicest_Misanthrope 3 days ago (edited)
Seriously, press charges anyway. Your family fucƙing sùcks, sorry OP.
Binky Melnik 3 days ago
Wow. The people thinking she’s the аsshole want her to sυck up any potential insurance costs, repair costs, and the lawsuit should he maim or killl someone. That’s not how it works, dummies, and no, she DIDN’T know where he or her car were. She had no idea whether he’d driven off with her or worse, was committing a crime in it. Looks as Fl she needs to stay the hell away from stepmom and brother, and if this means she can’t see dad, well, its dad’s fault for enabling these fools with no morals. I would have gone 🦍💩 if someone did this to me! “He only borrowed it.” Taking without permission is STEALING, not “borrowing,” and his folks have been doing his NO favors by allowing him to behave like an аsshole. I *hope* he has a felony; its the only way he’ll learn, since his parents can’t be bothered to teach him!
Janelle Collard 3 days ago
THe YTAers and ESHers are delulu as usual. OP did the right thing + I hope she went NC with dad, step-mom, step-bro + their whole side of the famiy. Step-mom *lied* to the police - step-bro was specifically told NO, he can't borrow the car.
Michelle C 2 days ago
This is how monsters that lack self control and respect are created....Mom and dad will soon learn the errors of their ways when he becomes too demanding to control. Half or whole brother I would've called the police and pressed charges because if the parent won't teach him boundaries I sure as hell will make sure he learns mine.
SheamusFanFrom1987 2 days ago
YTA and ESH fuggnuts, I hope somebody "borrows" your cars, PERMANENTLY and without telling you either!!! OP's step-s*h*i*t*bling deserves the ride downtown for his spoilt behind to learn that consequences exist when you "borrow" things without permission!!! I also hope OP pushes on and makes a confession to the police that her step-enabler told the s*h*i*t*bling that he could borrow the car without her permission and that her s***m-donor was the one that told her to lie on report!!! That whole b*m-a*s*s bunch deserve to spend some time downtown, if not the slammer!!! One of these days, their "borrowed" luck is gonna run out and they'll be the ones being driven downtown!!! SMH!!! >:-(
Dirk Daring 2 days ago
I learned long ago how to deal with a manipulative guilt trip by going full UNO Reverse and volleying back a bigger one. "You called the cops? But but but he's FAMILY!" Yeah, so am I. You STOLE from your FAMILY?! How could you DO something like that? Don't you care about your family AT ALL? Did you steal my car to go buy d***s?
Bookworm 2 days ago
This is from 5 years ago and the account is banned so unable to check for updates. I hope OP listened to the people telling her she needed to tell the police her stepmom lied when she said stepbrother had permission. Otherwise she could have been charged with filing a false report.
Livingwithcfs 3 days ago
If he feels he can steal the car from his half sister then he'll feel enabled to steal from others. At 19 he's old enough to know right from wrong. So calling the police was perfectly valid and hopefully might teach him a lesson at the same time
R Dennis 2 days ago
Fuuuuuck all the YTAs and ESHs. Theft is theft. Not only would I call the police but, depending on his attitude, I might push hard for prosecution. Just because he's family does mean he gets to victimize people. Might as well get their kid a young lawyer - he's probably going to need one often.
Robyn Hill 3 days ago
BTDT. Niece was supposed to be making payments on a car I sold her. She stopped. I couldn’t get ahold of her. I let my family talk me out of suing her or taking the car back, and I will always regret that, especially since they treat me like c**p anyway. I hope she presses charges against him. He’s 19. Time he grew up.
Apatheist Account2 2 days ago
This shouldn't happen. Payment should be made in full at the time of purchase, they should take out a loan themselves if they don't have the cash. Otherwise, get any arrangements in writing, and sue them or repossess the car if they break the agreement.
Load More Replies... Lee Gilliland 2 days ago
He "borrowed" nothing. He TOOK because he thought there weren't going to be consequences, because there never had been before ( this ain't the first time he's pulled this, folks, look at mommy's reaction). Now there are. Shame he has to grow up, but there it is.
Mark Childers 2 days ago
That kid has a mommy and a daddy who aren't doing their jobs of raising a responsible and productive human being. They're raising an entitled, selfish person who takes things that aren't his. Better to have family teach him the lesson instead of someone else. Now hopefully he'll never take someone else's car, but he's still young and dumb and probably will.
KatSaidThat 2 days ago
Taking something without permission is theft. Especially when you have been told no already. Here's a slice of maturity. Use it for good.
Michele campfens 1 day ago
The Legal ramifications if he had been in an accident, outweigh any familial tie. You were covering yourself, waiting till he got home would have been too late. Parents are making him into an entitled brat by supporting him over you. I would document a letter to them, telling them of your concern in regards to his theft and other concerning behaviour. That should his criminal behaviour escalate in future, you will not contribute in any way to him escaping full consequences. Keep a copy. They sound like the kind of parents that would expect you to help financially to any legal costs.
Motivated sloth 1 day ago
Obviously NTA but I don’t understand OPs somewhat combative response (the last one she responded to) because, yes, that person was absolutely agreeing with you.
E M 2 days ago
Anyone saying ESH or YTA to OP is out of their d**n minds. Half-brother could've crashed or damaged her car and OP would be on the hook for it. Sounds like stepmon and her side have made excuses for him his whole life. I hope OP does NOT drop the charges and lets the police know stepmom lied to protect half-brother. Shame on the dad too, for letting OP down.
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