Opinion ID: 1349971
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Large Bobcat.

Text: Steel Structures, a company in Aberdeen, South Dakota, owned a Clark Model 642 Bobcat. On the morning of July 2, 1984, employees discovered this large Bobcat missing from a construction site in Brookings. The loss was reported to police. Plainly visible on the Bobcat were large black decals that said Clark and included the model number of the equipment, 642. Also, the Bobcat had a conspicuous serial number plate riveted to the back fin of the vehicle. The same serial number was stamped in the transmission housing frame of the machine. The Bobcat could also be identified by a unique serial number on its engine. Additionally, the Bobcat had hydrostatic transmission pumps on its sides. Serial numbers were also riveted on these pumps. On November 29, 1987, this Bobcat was discovered by law enforcement officers in an alley behind Lodermeier's garage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Bobcat's external serial number plate was missing. There also appeared to be scraping or scratch marks across the area where the plate had been. Portions of the rivets were protruding from the rivet holes. In addition, the model number decals had been removed or altered. Sergeant Folkerts, Detective Prince and other officers served a search warrant, and recovered the Bobcat the next day. The Bobcat still had its hidden serial number, the same engine serial number, and the same numbers on its hydrostatic transmission pumps as it did when it had been manufactured. Lodermeier was charged with violating SDCL 22-30A-7 (1988) (receiving, retaining or disposing of stolen property) and SDCL 22-11-27 (1988) (possession of personal property with an altered or removed serial number). The president of Steel Structures testified he did not give Lodermeier permission to use the Bobcat, nor to his knowledge had anyone else. In fact, the company had a policy against loaning equipment to others. Likewise, to his knowledge, no one had given Lodermeier permission to remove the serial numbers.