Police Impounded My Aunt’s Stolen Car And Didn’t Report It; Told Her There’s Nothing They Can Do

Location: Arizona

Ok, story time is needed to explain this situation as we’re looking for guidance. Names are changed for privacy.

So my aunt recently moved in with me in Florida. She moved here from Arizona. She left her vehicle in Arizona and flew here, and I’ve been working on finding a transport company to ship the car here for her. In the meantime, her car was left at her best friend Pam’s house that she’s known for like 30 years.

Well, I finally found a transport company to ship the car. I told her to call Pam and ask what days would be convenient for her for the transport company to come get the car. Pam decides to inform my aunt that her daughter Kate (who’s 40-years old) said that she spoke to my aunt, and that my aunt supposedly told her it was ok that she could use the car. Now, Kate has an extensive criminal record, and her parents have been trying to help her. Her criminal record includes grand theft, stealing, and drugs. My aunt would NEVER say yes to this, and her own parents down even trust her in their house. So Pam had given Kate the keys to the car because she believed her (without even confirming with my aunt if her story was true), but we don’t know WHEN this happened. Pam has been going through a lot with her health recently (and her husband almost died a few weeks ago), so she’s been a little forgetful. We’re trying to give her some grace because she feels really guilty.

So I had my aunt call the police in Arizona and report it stolen. The detective calls my aunt the next day and tells her that Kate was actually arrested A WEEK AGO, and the car was impounded. So now we have no idea how long Kate actually had the car for one (my guess is it’s been a few weeks)……and the detective said that because my aunt reported it stolen AFTER it was impounded, that there’s nothing they can do. Detective also said the car is trashed inside with god only knows what. My aunt is worried about drugs and whatever else in there.

….so my aunt now has no car, she can’t press charges, her insurance doesn’t cover theft, and it’s trashed sitting inside an impound lot. Is this legal? Why weren’t the tags ran when Kate was arrested, and why wasn’t my aunt notified that her car was involved in an arrest or something? Don’t they check license and registration? Is there anything she can do about this situation?

Thank you for any and all advice. Everything my aunt owned was in that car, and now she has nothing. I don’t know what I’m gonna do for her, she’s devastated.