A Lesson on Honesty

Tim and Tanya's famous car. Oh, the stories we wish it could tell.

This story began back last summer. Once Tim and Tanya moved to London they decided to have Wayne and me try to sell their car. The first few times it was listed there were absolutely no phone calls of potential buyers. The only calls we got were from companies that said they had lots of buyers. They said they could have it sold in less than 60 days. After several months we decided to let them try. The only catch was they needed $500 dollars up front. We would get most of the money back if it didn't sell. It didn't sell, in fact we didn't even get a phone call.

Tim and Tanya decided to wait awhile to try again. The first part of February they listed the car on Craig's List and lowered the price. We did get a few phone calls. We had one buyer that offered a good price. His name was Chris Farrela.

Chris left a number for us to call him. I tried and I got the message that a voice box had not been set up. (This should have been our first hint.) Later Wayne had several conversations with Chris. They arranged to have Chris come to our house to look at the car. He came on a Saturday February 18th. He was coming after his son finished his ball game. His wife had been in an accident and they needed a second car. If he liked the car he would buy it with a cashier's check. Wayne suggested that we keep the pink slip until the check cashed. At this point we were disconnected. (Second hint, I think he hung up because he wanted the pink slip.) He called back. Everything seemed good. He arrived at the house around 2:00. I called Wayne to come home. (It was tax season after all.) While we waited, I opened the garage and let him look over the car. We had a pleasant conversation while we waited.

Wayne made it home in good time. The two of them took the car for a test drive. Chris was happy with the car. They came into the house. I was talking to Tim and Tanya on facetime. They said hello to Chris. Chris gave us the Bank of America cashier's check, and he showed us his driver's licence. We reminded him we wouldn't give him the pink slip until the check had cleared. So he had a Bill of Sale document. We gave him the keys and off he went.

Since it was President's weekend the banks were closed until Tuesday. Wayne took the check down to the bank in his building on Tues. He asked them to verify the check. They told him it had a problem. He had the bank run it through the system anyway. (Remember, he didn't tell me there was a potential problem with the check. He said he didn't want to worry me.)

Thursday night at 10:00, as I was finishing up my school work the doorbell rings. I wasn't expecting anyone. I looked through the stain glass window and saw a cop. He tells me he is from LA county. He asked if Tim Hart lived here. I said no. The conversation continues, I'm told Tim's stolen car has been found in San Bernardino. I told the cop that we had had sold it the weekend before. He gave me several funny looks. I still didn't open the door. He finally leaves. I call Wayne. He calls the San Bernardino sheriff's department. They have no record of a stolen car. Needless to say, I was a little scared. I was sure he was not a real cop. The next day we left for Colorado for Tanner's baptism. Wayne had John Vitali check on the house during the weekend. Wayne was able to file a stolen car report before we left.

We don't hear much that week back. I did, however I called the City of Industry Sheriff's department and found out they had sent a cop to our house. I began to feel better. Meanwhile, everyone in Colorado had heard the story. Tim and Tanya knew nothing. They think the car has been sold. I believe we finally told them on Saturday the 3rd. Their faces were completely stunned. It took them awhile to realize what had happened. We were sure the car was in pieces by now or in Mexico.

I think it was Tuesday, March 6th when the police called Wayne and told him they had the car. We arranged to pick it up on Thurs. The thief had turned around and listed the car on Craig's list and sold the car to a young lady. She had paid cash. I think she tried to register the car and found out it was stolen. Therefore the cops had to take it from her. She told them she really liked the car and wouldn't mind buying it. While we were picking the car up we also find out that the car had the wrong licence plates. It must of been a mistake by the DMV when it was first sold. The pink slip and the plates had different numbers. It was off by just one number. Therefore the plates had to be taken off. Now, how do we get plates when the owner lives in London?

Wayne put off calling the girl that had tried to buy the car. He finally did. She picked the car up on Monday the 12th. Wayne, the girl and two men that she brought with her went to the bank because she didn't want cash this time. The check was good. The girl now owns the car.

We were sure that was going to be the end for awhile. How often or how quickly do thieves get caught. I was wrong. Thursday around lunchtime, Wayne and another man are at my classroom door. (Wayne never comes to my school. I wasn't sure what to think. The good thing was he had a smile on his face.) Wayne told me to come outside. Remember, I have 23 students in the class all wondering who these men were. Wayne stayed in the class. He does introduce himself as my husband. I step outside and looked at six mug shots. I recognized one. I had to sign a piece of paper that said he was the thief. The girl and Wayne thought it was the same picture as me. Since I was the last one they needed to identify him, the cop told us he was already in jail for something else. (Identity theft.) His bail was set at $2,000,000. He won't be going anywhere very soon.

After Wayne left, I told my students most of the story. I told them this was a lesson on honesty. This man was not honest. I still trust most people, but I will have to be very careful on selling things. I'm still glad I didn't open the door at 10:00 at night. May all of us always be honest and truthful. We will have a much happier life and not have guilty consciences.