Hello,
A couple of days ago, my house near Puerto Plata was broken into (the garage actually) and some items were stolen. My Dominican friend living in the house thankfully wasn't there, but she hired a lawyer on my behalf. She hasn't told anyone that I am a gringo...everyone thinks she is living there on her own.
I have just found out that the police found one of the stolen items, my electric lawnmower. Apparently, the lawnmower was resold to someone else (the receiver). The receiver said that he paid 15,000 pesos for it (and I thought I was robbed!). The person who sold him the merchandise (the robber) was one of those who broke into the house and stole from me and is now in jail
The receiver doesn't want to be out for the whole 15,000 pesos and has asked for half of that money back before he releases the lawnmower. The robber said that he doesn't have any money. The hired lawyer and the police said to my friend that the receiver has the right to ask for money.
I am dumbfounded, but then again, I don't understand the Dominican legal system. Does this sound right? I wonder who is the proper owner of the lawnmower now? The receiver and I both own it? Am I obligated to buy my lawnmower back?
I haven't done my due diligence and checked out the entire site. If this has already been dealt with, my apologies. I need to respond shortly on what I am going to do.
What do you folks think?
Thanks,
A couple of days ago, my house near Puerto Plata was broken into (the garage actually) and some items were stolen. My Dominican friend living in the house thankfully wasn't there, but she hired a lawyer on my behalf. She hasn't told anyone that I am a gringo...everyone thinks she is living there on her own.
I have just found out that the police found one of the stolen items, my electric lawnmower. Apparently, the lawnmower was resold to someone else (the receiver). The receiver said that he paid 15,000 pesos for it (and I thought I was robbed!). The person who sold him the merchandise (the robber) was one of those who broke into the house and stole from me and is now in jail
The receiver doesn't want to be out for the whole 15,000 pesos and has asked for half of that money back before he releases the lawnmower. The robber said that he doesn't have any money. The hired lawyer and the police said to my friend that the receiver has the right to ask for money.
I am dumbfounded, but then again, I don't understand the Dominican legal system. Does this sound right? I wonder who is the proper owner of the lawnmower now? The receiver and I both own it? Am I obligated to buy my lawnmower back?
I haven't done my due diligence and checked out the entire site. If this has already been dealt with, my apologies. I need to respond shortly on what I am going to do.
What do you folks think?
Thanks,