| ROBERT'S AUTO SALES Dealer Returns Laci's SUV To Family Scott Peterson Sold Vehicle Last Week |
| LACI & CONNER "May God have a Place in His Arms For His Two New Angels" MELODY * NEW YORK * GUESTBOOK |
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| FEBRUARY 6, 2003 Laci Peterson's Land Rover became her family's property on Tuesday. The ownership transfer did not come through the missing woman's husband, Scott, but through a used car dealer who said he bought the sport utility vehicle from Peterson last Wednesday. Doug Roberts of Roberts Auto Sales on McHenry Avenue in Modesto said Peterson traded in the Land Rover as part of his purchase of a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup. Tuesday, Roberts gave the 1996 forest green SUV to Laci Peterson's family after he realized it was Laci's. Peter Van Wier, manager of Roberts Auto Sales in Modesto, confirmed the transaction and said the dealership had donated the Land Rover back to Laci's family. He declined to elaborate. Scott Peterson's sister says Scott could no longer afford the vehicle. Scott's previous truck is still in the custody of the Modesto Police Department. Laci's family heard Friday that her husband had sold the Land Rover, and they expressed shock. "If he had any consideration for her, he would keep the car if he knew she was coming home," said her father, Dennis Rocha of Escalon. Peterson's mother and step-father, Sharon Rocha and Ron Grantski of Modesto, were incensed Wednesday that her husband traded in her Land Rover for a pickup truck. "We thought that until we find out differently, the car should be here for Laci so she has something to drive," her stepfather, Ron Grantski, said at a press conference. Grantski said he had noticed a few days ago that a new truck was parked in Scott Peterson's driveway and that his stepdaughter's vehicle was gone. "We know that the cars were in Scott's name, but thanks to Mr. Roberts it's in the family's hands now," he said. Tuesday night, Dennis Rocha stored the Land Rover pending today's press conference. Police confiscated Scott Peterson's Ford truck on Dec. 26 and he had been driving rental vehicles since then. It was not known when he might get his truck back. "We will hold on to his truck for the length of time that we need it for the investigation," said Detective Doug Ridenour, police spokesman. "We will turn it back to him when we can no longer justify having it, but that's a decision that will be made through the courts." Police confiscated the Land Rover at the same time, and returned it a few days later. At the time, Scott Peterson alone held title to both vehicles, although family and friends said the Land Rover was his wife's. The SUV is valued at $9,000 to $16,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. Roberts declined to say how much he paid for the Land Rover or how much Peterson paid for the Dodge pickup. Grantski indicated that Scott Peterson had also tried to sell the couple's modest Modesto bungalow. "The house is in both names, Laci's and Scott," he said. "I find it hard to believe that he thought he could sell it without Laci's signature. Of course we find it hard to understand a lot of things Scott has done, so why should this be any different?" The Petersons' home is not listed on the Multiple Listing Service, and real estate agents said it it would be difficult, if not impossible, to list it without both owners' signatures. RELATED STORIES BRIAN ARGAIN TERRI WESTERN HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL ALIBI-WITNESS LIST WIRETAPS |
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