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Have a quick question one of our old neighbors is trying to file theft charges against us (me and wife) but we haven't stolen anything from him, he left his truck at the apartment complex when he moved and it got towed because it didn't have a registration or inspection sticker (he would change them between his trucks so he didn't have to get a sticker for both his vehicles and he doesn't have a drivers license, but I digress). We have since moved out of that complex and into a house and he sent my wife a text saying that he wants his stuff back (that we payed him for after he moved out). Naturally we aren't going to give him stuff back that we payed him for now he's telling my wife (in txt messages) that if we don't pay him (again) or give him his stuff back he's going to file theft charges against us. What should I do?

Hopefully you have a receipt for the items you payed him for. Hopefully he doesn't have receipts for any of the items. Try blocking his number from your phones and/or ignore him and if he persists and starts visiting in person I guess you'll have to consider a restraining order. IANAL but I believe if you are the subject of a restraining order you temporarily lose your 2A rights so in theory (yeah right) it should disarm him. Other than that I would hope he tires and goes away and always carry, he doesn't sound like the stable type.

Sounds like you've been set up.
Did you get a receipt when you paid for the items?
Have you had a conversation with the guy?
Maybe he's blowing smoke, maybe not, but I would have a sit down in front of an officer and file a report before he does to get on top of this thing fast.
Then he might just disappear when he sees you won't roll over.
I feel for ya.

He's the type that has sent money to Nigerian princes many many times (that I know of). we have since moved out and he doesn't know our current address, just phone number. OTOH if he does try to file charges it's basically all he said she said as there was no written contract signed.

If he really wants to file theft charges he would not have 'texted' you about it. He would simply call the police and file charges. If someone stole something from me I would not ask them to pay for what they stole. Makes no sense. I suspect the guy and or his wife have been drinking. Relax and see what happens next.

Sounds like a truly desperate man.
If he is resourceful, he will find you if he wants to.
It used to be you could go to the post office and pay a dollar and get some ones
forwarding adress.
I don't know if they still do that.
Don't play his game.
Don't respond unless he goes legal.
It's his move.

Tell him to stop calling and texting. If he continues file harassment charges.

Might be worth walking into the local PD lobby and filing and incident report, just to leave a paper trail.

it sounds like he is threatening you so you'll pay up, he hasn't filed charges against you yet. quick . file charges of harassment and stalking with a restraining order against him before he files against you. that way, it will look like his "theft charges" are just retaliatory charges. quick.

That sounds like extortion. In your shoes, I would file a criminal complaint against him.

snorri wrote:That sounds like extortion. In your shoes, I would file a criminal complaint against him.

If you have a receipt, it will help your case. AS others have said, file a report with the PD ASAP. Its better that you be proactive and be the first one to file a complaint than wait for something to happen.

Depending on how much money the stuff was worth, sounds like a small claims issue. More civil than criminal.

Explain the situation to a judge. If, any action is taken.

Just my thought