A California man was reunited with a dirt bike he never thought he'd see again after it was stolen 17 years ago.
Kamron Golbaf was just 11 years old when his dirt bike was stolen in December 2001 in Riverside.
This past week, he was stunned to receive the 1998 Honda CR 80 thanks to a record check run by a California Highway patrol officer.
The check came after a man bought the bike from someone who had it listed on Craigslist.
The man who bought the bike took it to the DMV to get it registered but was informed there was no record of the vehicle on file.
Protocol dictated that a highway patrol officer inspect the bike before it was registered in that case.
“Officer Villegas inspected the dirt bike and, through confidential law enforcement means, was able to determine that the motorcycle had been stolen,” Lassig said.
Golbaf got the bike back but the person who bought the bike appeared to get nothing.
“I was in shock,” Golbaf said of the news. “I was super excited.”
Lassig said the situation serves as a warning to people who purchase used vehicles of any kind from online classified websites such as Craigslist.
It’s recommended that buyers get the details, such as a promise of the condition of the car, in writing, and keep all correspondence, whether it’s through email or text messages.
Buyers should also ask important questions when first inspecting a car, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), which can be double-checked online or through the police.
Anyone who is suspicious about a purchase is welcome to stop by a California Highway Patrol office and get a check on a VIN.
Authorities are still looking to find the person who was selling the bike.
