Poll:
How has your experience been with Craigslist/Ebay?
(WHAS11) - Stolen items may be making their way on popular Websites like Craigslist and E-bay.
So, how do you know what you are buying isn't stolen?
WHAS11 has the story of one investigation that started in Bullitt County and how Craigslist helped authorities track down a suspect.
The story starts with a tractor and ends with a consumer warning about what you buy off the internet.
Detectives with the Bullitt County Sheriff's Department say Eric Todd Adams stole a tractor worth $30,000 in early December.
Scotty Magaha, an official with the Bullitt County Sheriff's Department, said the person who had the stolen tractor had posted an advertisement on Craiglist listing the tractor for sale at $10,000.
The advertisement listed a phone number, email address and a name that helped police figure identify then suspect. However, authorities have not been able to arrest him.
Magaha said issues with stolen equipment showing up websites such as Craiglist and Ebay are increasing.
“Due to the drug problem and the economy the way it is now it used to be kind of a rare thing to see pieces of heavy equipment that would be stolen, but we are starting to see more of that,” he said.
Magaha said that individuals using online means to purchase heavy equipment should be diligent with their purchases and note that any big ticket item will have a serial number and title which can be checked.
Bobby Bailey, a representative from computer service store Louisville Geek, said if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
“Ask the seller where they got the item from and why they are selling it,” he said. “Then follow your gut instinct.”
Bailey said he often purchases items on Ebay, but said it’s important to ask questions of the seller.
“I ask those questions of the seller [because] I want to know the story of what I’m buying and how did it get to this situation and do I feel good about who I am buying it from and if there is a problem who can I talk to?”
Bailey said that if one is unsure of purchasing an online item to contact local law enforcement. He said they can inform the buyer if the item matches the description of any stolen items they are currently investigating.
Bullitt County Sheriff's Department urges anyone with information on Eric Adams whereabouts to contact their office at (502) 543-2262.
