Originally Posted by
79pmooney
Oregon law:
§ 164.095¹
Theft by receiving......
Yes, and most states have similar laws. But they're rarely charged by police or prosecuted, except as a Plan B against theft suspects where it would be hard to get a conviction for theft.
Other than known dealers in stolen goods with established history, the law is satisfied if goods are returned to right owners and the possessor of stolen goods eat the loss.
In many jurisdictions police won't get involved and declare it a civil court matter, though they might be persuaded to take physical possession of the disputed goods until ownership is resolved.