Property Invasion, Damages, Trespass Old Tenant uses a duplicate key to enter vacant home & take Appliances

[ampyoup]

Our last tenant who met us and turned back the keys we gave them was witnessed inside our vacant home and taking the appliances, metal pieces like Heater Vents, Pipes etc, We called the police to report the burglary and were told by the officer because a witness said it was the previous tenant and there was no apparent breaking and entering that this was a civil matter? The tenant moved out 30 days ago and gave us back their keys. They clearly created duplicates and entered the property with criminal intent of stealing our property. How is this not a criminal offense?

 

[disagreeable]

Because you never changed the locks. The police are not going to make a judgment as to when they vacated.

 

[army judge]

Disagreeable is correct, OP.
I'm curious though, who was this witness? How did they see the "crime" in progress, and "not" call the police, rather the "witness" tells YOU?

I HOPE you see what I'm sure the POLICE see, too!!!

 

[mightymoose]

Hmm... based on just that I would have taken a burglary/vandalism report and at least given the DA opportunity to have a look and issue a warrant.
A different officer on a different day might give you a different response.