Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Stolen phone

[Capprice kringle]

Jurisdiction

Tennessee

Accidentally left my new phone in a gas station in Nashville. When I called the phone a few hours a lady answered and promised to mail me the phone and she gave me her phone number and she took down our address. A week later I texted her to check on the status and she said she had gotten busy but would send the phone the next day. We've communicated back and forth 3 to 4 times, each time her promising to send the phone, however now she's no longer responding and we still have no phone. If we provide her cell number to a lawyer or the cops, can they find out where she lives and contact her? I believe this would constitute theft, so maybe contact from someone with authority would be the push she needs to mail it.

 

[army judge]

If we provide her cell number to a lawyer or the cops, can they find out where she lives and contact her?

A lawyer has no inherent legal authority to do much to any thief.

On the other hand, the law enforcement agency where you lost your device might be able to assist you.

It can't hurt to do a little detective work and determine if the agency is the sheriff or local police, then make a call to the administrative number and speak with the duty officer/deputy or duty sergeant.

At this point your best solution might be to contact your service provider, cancel service on the phone, before you find the thief has charged up thousands of dollars of "apps" on some app store, or is using your device to download "kiddie" porn.

 

[zddoodah]

If we provide her cell number to a lawyer or the cops, can they find out where she lives and contact her?

Lawyer, no. Cops, probably. Contact them and ask.

 

[adjusterjack]

You should have called your phone service on day one to avoid further charges that the woman is obviously running up.

Call the police and see if they will do anything.

If the future keep your phone in your pocket instead of putting it down somewhere.

 

[mightymoose]

In California we have a statute that obligates a person to return or attempt to return found property to its owner if they have the means to do so. Failure to do so does result in a theft related offense.
Perhaps Tennessee has something similar. Local law enforcement can assist you with this, and might provide the leverage needed to get the phone back, although the odds are more likely the phone has been thrown away, sold, or otherwise destroyed by now.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

One question comes to mind - why rely on a person to go through even more trouble to send a phone they found versus the person losing the phone making the effort to retrieve it from the voluntary holder who is willing to hold it for return at no cost?