Oklahoma veteran's trailer found in Chandler impound lot over a year after theft

An Oklahoma City man's stolen trailer has finally been found after it was stolen over a year ago.

News 9 first reported on Kevin Benson's situation after his trailer was stolen from a storage facility in November of 2023.

RELATED: Veteran's Trailer Stolen From Oklahoma City Storage Facility

At the time, Benson said the loss of his 22-foot trailer was a "pretty rough feeling."

Now though, Benson said he was able to locate his trailer this month after it was impounded in Chandler after being left abandoned on the Turner Turnpike.

"All kinds of feelings whenever it was verified that it had been found and that it was my trailer," Benson said.

However, Benson's struggle did not end there, as the impound lot that held on to his trailer is now asking for thousands of dollars before they release Benson's property.

The lot's owner, Howard Dickman, said he assumed the trailer was stolen, but was unable to find the true owner.

Dickman said all identifying features on the trailer had been removed.

"No identifying marks on that trailer," Dickman said. "The serial number, anything, that was all taken off, and the trailer had been repainted."

However, Benson says the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was easily able to track down the trailer and believes Dickman to be purposefully withholding his property.

"It's very frustrating that I had put so much time and effort into doing something," Benson said. "It was taken and now it's back, and someone's like, 'Oh, sorry, you got to pay me $6,000.'"

Despite Benson still holding the title for the trailer, Dickman said it wants payment for recovery of the trailer, as well as storage fees.

"All I'm asking for is ... Pay me for the work I have into it," Dickman said.

Benson says he plans to go to the Chandler Police Department and the Lincoln County District Attorney to request a release of the trailer.