Coworker thinks she found her stolen tailgate on Craigslist

Hopefully it's kosher to post this here. My coworker had her tailgate stolen last night from her 2018 Tacoma and she found an ad on CL posted about the same time it was taken, with very very similar scratches. The ad is listed in the Inland Empire, and we are in LA, so about an hour away, so seeing it in person would be difficult. Is there any recourse? Do the newer trucks have a VIN sticker on the tailgate?

 

Yes they do.

 

Check if her tailgate key works in the tailgate. If it does, inform them the police will be called if they don’t return the tailgate

 

I'd call your local PD and see how they recommend handling it. Going there on your own (vigilante style) would be a VERY bad idea.

 

She lives in Burbank as well, and Burbank police are usually pretty helpful. The only problem is that since it's listed in IE they may not do shit.

I didn't even think of the key thing.... duh.

 

PDs will coordinate.

 

Yeah, I'd reach out to your local PD and at least hear what they have to say. Like @Bertw192 said, "going vigilante not a good idea".

 

Have her call the local PD where the tailgate is located and advise them that it may be stolen property. Let them know that the key to the tailgate is vehicle specific and see if you can either A) meet them there so the VIN # and key can be matched to the tailgate or B) see if she can go down to the precinct with the key and VIN and let the officers handle the situation.
Be sure she files a police report regarding the theft so the PDs can coordinate.
What I imagine will happen if the PD show up (unless a plain clothes officer in unmarked vehicle) is the perp will either deny that they have it or say that it was already sold to a John/Jane Doe for cash and they have no idea of the identity of the purchaser.
This may be a situation where she has to go down with another individual as witness in another vehicle so no suspicion is raised. Have one person distract while she tries out her key. If it is a match, go down the street and call the PD to report a theft and wait until they arrive so it doesn't "go missing".

 

With all that's going on don't be surprised if they may deem it not worth their time since it's insured.

 

Meet the seller. Ask to see if the tailgate will actually fit your truck since you came prepared with tailgate removed. Drive home.

 

What's the price anyway?

 

Are you ready for vigilante struggles? If not, don’t put yourself in the situation. You have an easy way and a hard way.

 

What...? No link??

 

Call the local News station to see if they are interesting in a Potential hot story.

 

I’m with stun gun.

I wouldn’t say checking it out to make sure it’s not your tailgate would be cause for alarm just be slick about it. Don’t let them know that your tailgate was stolen and have someone distract while you check if your key works. Film it secretly if you want to protect your actions. Walk away and call the cops if it’s yours.

 

And make sure you keep their address and all other info handy, just in case.

 

Well, whatever she does, make sure your top priority is to keep us updated on the story. lol

 

Keep TW updated man sounds interesting almost like that show that was on TV of cops using bait cars to arrest thieves. Lol

 

Loving this. I knew Friday wouldn’t disappoint.

 

Yep. Easy way is reporting it and being safe. Then there's going there and looking at it with the key. The next step is pulling up in the same truck they stole it off of