A New Jersey court battle ended with a happy reunion when a classic car was rescued from civil forfeiture and returned to its rightful owner after a 12-year separation.
An Essex County Superior Court judge ruled Jan. 29 that a 1987 Buick Regal GNX is the property of Latchman Raghunandan, who last saw the car in 2012 when it was stolen from outside a restaurant in Belleville, New Jersey. The judge rejected a claim to the car by Angel Tirado, who was facing a civil forfeiture action by Irvington, New Jersey, based on the vehicle’s alleged use in the sale of narcotics.
Catherine Pastrikos Kelly of Meyner and Landis. Courtesy photo
