> Why do you believe it's a crime? Is there a statute that says it is?
>
> I filed a police report. I don't know if that's the same thing as
> what you meant by a "citizen complaint." They didn't regard that as
> forcing them to do anything besides tell me that I hadn't been the
> victim of a crime.
>
Nevada has a statute or reg that covers credits left in a slot machine. I learned about it more than a decade ago, after observing experienced hustlers who added their own money first and played at least one game before cashing. I don't recall which, but a search should turn it up.
You did the right thing by going to the police station, but then unfortunately let them talk you out of it. I meant to say that you should file a "criminal complaint", probably a John Doe unless you have a description of the perp. No matter what they say, you have a right to make one. They are not qualified to decide whether a crime has occurred - that will be up to the city attorney. And that office can never afford to ignore a civilian complainant (when the cop is the complainant, that's another story). At the point you can pressure them to investigate, and they can view or seize the security tape as evidence.
"Finders keepers losers weepers" is not a legal concept in any jurisdiction I'm aware of - just a bit oh homespun advice worth it cost (nothing). Laws vary by state, but generally what's yours is still yours, even after leaving it on a bartop or inside a machine. Accidentally leaving without your property is not "abandonment", and doesn't magically make it someone else's.
TC
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