A Redford man buys a van on Craigslist, but it turns out the vehicle was stolen. He he figured that out, he actually found the real owner. Now, he wants to find the thief behind the bogus deal.
Click on the video player to watch Ronnie Dahl's report.
Leonard Hackworth was looking for a van for his mom. He thought he found a pretty good deal on Craigslist. A silver 2002, Chrysler Town and Country minivan, 179 thousand miles, recently tuned up. He talked with the seller and January 10th, the two agreed to meet at the BP gas station at Joy Rd. and the Southfield freeway.
"There were no red flags," he told Fox 2. "I rode around with him, talked with him, he seemed like a cool guy."
The seller went by the nickname, "Big Boy." He may have been cool, but it appears he's also a crook. After Leonard handed over $1500 cash and drove home with the van, he found out it was stolen. When he went to register the vehicle he was informed he had a fraudulent title.
Lorenzo Tovar is the rightful owner. His daughter uses the van. It was taken from the driveway of her Redford home Jan. 4th. Tovar thought he would never see the van again. Then Saturday, he got Leonard's phone call.
We tried to track down "Big Boy," but there was a bogus name and address on the paperwork. So, we called the number from the Craigslist ad. The person on the other end denied he knew anything about a stolen van.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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