A Maryland resident is facing a significant financial burden after his recently paid-off vehicle was recovered following a theft. Andrew Passie, who relies on the car for daily commutes and family transportation, had it stolen from outside his home in Seat Pleasant on November 15th. Months later, he discovered that the District of Columbia police had found the car but failed to notify him promptly. By the time Passie learned about the recovery, impound fees had accumulated to over $2,000. This situation has left him feeling frustrated and questioning the fairness of the procedures followed by law enforcement.

The ordeal began when Passie witnessed an individual breaking into his car as he approached it. He immediately called the police, initiating a months-long wait for any news regarding the vehicle's whereabouts. In late January, Passie decided to follow up with the local police department, only to be informed that D.C. authorities had located his car nearly two months prior. The discovery came as a mix of relief and surprise, but the joy was short-lived as he faced the reality of mounting storage fees.

The car had been impounded since November 24th, accumulating $20 per day in fees, along with a $100 towing charge. This resulted in a total bill of $2,040, which Passie now must pay to reclaim his property. He expressed disappointment, stating that no one from the police department ever contacted him about the recovery. "I feel like they delayed the process unnecessarily," Passie said. "If they had notified me within a week, I could have avoided these excessive charges."

The issue highlights the challenges faced by car owners when vehicles are stolen in one jurisdiction and recovered in another. According to regulations, the recovering authority is responsible for notifying the owner. While the chief of the Seat Pleasant police department stated that proper procedures were followed, records indicate that D.C. police made at least one attempt to contact Passie. However, the specifics of this communication remain unclear, leaving Passie uncertain about whether more could have been done to prevent the accumulation of fees.

D.C. police have not provided definitive answers on whether they will assist Passie in mitigating the costs associated with the impoundment. For now, Passie can only watch his vehicle through the fence of the impound lot, feeling disheartened by the situation. The incident underscores the importance of timely communication between law enforcement agencies and vehicle owners, especially in cases involving cross-jurisdictional recoveries.