Philipsburg:--- In recent months, the Detective Department has been investigating several cases in which persons have been purchasing second hand vehicles from persons they are acquainted with and also persons they are not acquainted with. When the person who bought the vehicle takes it to be insured that is when they discover that the vehicle in question is stolen. The investigations have shown that the VIN-number of the car has been tampered with by completely removing or replacing it. The advice from the Detective Department is, to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience, "NOT" to purchase any vehicle from anyone, without receiving proof that the car belonged to them. A "bill of sale" is not proof that the "seller" is the owner of the car. The "buyer" should ask the "seller" for proof of ownership of the car and a copy of his or her identification. The "buyer" should then compare the names on the documents before purchasing.
KPSM Police Report
