1970 Cuda, original owner/racer, and the car is stolen in 2001... and found this year, but cops could not seize and return it... because Oregon has a 3 year statute of limitations, after 3 yrs, stolen property belong to the thief!

Found on http://www.hotrod.com/news/stolen_1970_cuda_found_after_14_years_still_not_returned_to_owner/

In June, they received a letter from Budget Towing in Northeast Portland that said their car was being stored at Budget, but the person storing it there had not paid the bill, so it was going up for auction.

The Whites said they received the letter because the Department of Motor Vehicles lists them as the owners.

Before they could act, the man storing the car had paid the bill and had the car delivered to his home.

The Whites called police.

"It's stolen property. Go get it!" said Rick White.

But they said police told them they could not recover the car, even though the Whites have the title.

Sergeant Pete Simpson with the Portland Police Bureau said the statute of limitations, three years, ran out, and with no crime to prosecute, police can't just get a warrant and get the car, like some might think.

Police said the man who has the car is Lee Sitton, who lives near Troutdale. He is listed in state records as the manager of AAC General Contractors in Gresham.

He did not return calls asking him who sold him the car, and why he did not title the car within 30 days of buying the car, as required by Oregon law.

video and text from http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/Man-finds-stolen-car-13-years-later-cant-get-it-back-267685051.html?tab=video&c=y on July 17th 2014

Rick White purchased the car brand new in 1970 and raced the car at Portland International Raceway. He said someone stole the car from his garage in 2001.

"It was a very upsetting time. It was hard to even think about it being gone," said Jackie White.

The Whites still hold the car's title. They received a letter last month saying there was a lien on the car for thousands of dollars in unpaid storage and service fees at Budget Towing. They said they contacted Budget Towing, but found out that the man who was storing it there had already paid the money owed and took possession of the car.

The Whites called police, but said police told them the statute of limitations had run out, and officers could not write a search warrant and could not go and seize the car.

http://www.katu.com/news/problemsolver/Deputies-seize-stolen-1970-Cuda-from-gated-estate-268550612.html?tab=video&c=y

In summary, the law in Oregon wasn't fixed, stolen property after a 3 yr statute of limitations is the property of the thieves, but filing a new stolen property report resets the clock, and then cops can seize it and return it to the rightful owners