Further information
I started a land clearing business approximately a year ago. Like any other new business owner I have had my ups and downs; however, we were growing and making progress.
I recently accepted a job to clear 1.5 acres for a great Christian family in my community. Just prior to beginning the work, a land survey was completed where we discovered hundreds of rusty abandoned appliances, hundreds of used tires, deteriorated oil buckets and 10 abandoned, unrecognizable motor vehicles on the property. All of the vehicles were completely rusted throughout and had been sitting long enough for the engine oil pans and gasoline tanks to begin failing where motor oil and gasoline was leaking.
After recognizing the appliances and vehicles had been placed on the property either by mistake or illegally the property owner also hired me to clean up/remove these items.
Over the next few days I contacted EVERY government agency/department within our county to include: Property appraiser, codes enforcement, building and zoning, permits department and the sheriff's office. After speaking with over a dozen government employees and officials asking what we must do to remove these items, I was eventually told, "Just call one of our local recycling yards, they will know what you can do with them." I have cell phone records to prove these calls were made.
I contacted the most reputable recycling center in our county and was advised to bring the items in for recycling. They told us due to the age and dilapidated state of the appliances and vehicles they can accept them without titles according to Florida law.
I proceeded to remove the items. It was a very slow process due to the item's condition. Over the next 3 weeks I removed 10 abandoned vehicles and approximately 400 appliances. In the middle of the removal process I was approached by a woman that identified herself as the rightful owner of the items I was removing. After I explained the situation completely to the woman, she stated the items were placed onto the property by mistake. She thanked me for performing the cleanup and left.
One month later I received a phone call from a local deputy sheriff stating I was being investigated for motor vehicle theft for removing the items. He advised a relative of the woman that claimed ownership of the items is filing charges for theft of the items his family illegally abandoned on the property I was hired to clean.
Two weeks later the deputy sheriff stopped by my office to further advise on the actions he would be taking. I also took the opportunity to explain my actions taken that included contacting every government agency in our county; however, I was advised this was insufficient. I was advised I would be charged with ten (10) counts of grand theft auto along with ten (10) counts of selling the vehicles. Apparently the family that placed the items onto the incorrect property either by mistake or illegally, waited approximately one month after I removed all of the vehicles to contact law enforcement. They told law enforcement they believe a few of the cars may have still been on their property and they subsequently reported the items stolen.
(Note) the agency in question I used to work for for 15 years as a deputy sheriff, the detective in question was why zone partner for 3 years.