Trying to get license plate from video clip, trying to catch a scammer

[Bane24]

Hello,

A friend of mine was recently scammed and asked me to help him get the plate number from a vehicle that drove into his garage. He had a fake story about being stuck at a job site, him being the foreman etc. Had workers waiting at the job site and he needed to get some kind of exhaust filter temporarily. A lot of garages take them off and use/sell them as they are worth a few hundred each, I cant remember what it was called.

This is a short clip pulled from the camera, the video quality isnt too bad and I can make out a few numbers by pausing the video and messing with colors but im not good enough to get the full details. Can someone help me?


https://rapidshare.com/files/2945909883/Lot 2012-09-11 091109.mp4

[themaster1]

Well the video is in good quality so that's a plus, frame 330 seems promising.
I can read either BLFD-597 or 8LFD-597 but i'm not a specialist of u.s plates

image:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/themaster1.jpg/
other pic (colors):
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/themaster12.jpg/

Another topic related to license plates:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/334150-Enhancing-a-still-from-video?highlight=plate

[DB83]

So you get the plate no. What do you do then ? Hand it to the police ? Better to give the vid to them in the first place as they have the means to get the number and who the vehicle is registered to.

[Bane24]

Thanks for looking into it for me, ill see what this turns up.

Edit: Police have been given all info up to now, the main goal is to make others aware and a confirmed license plate would be best. My friend already saw the exactly same type of vehicle outside a grocery store only to find out it was some lady. They don't really care about the loss of the part he just wants his Pizza and to make sure no one else gets scammed.

[Bane24]

Ahh sorry for double post...it was a catalytic converter that was taken, apparently they go around tricking people out of them and selling them to plants.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter


Theft

Because of the external location and the use of valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, converters are a target for thieves. The problem is especially common among late-model trucks and SUVs, because of their high ground clearance and easily removed bolt-on catalytic converters. Welded-in converters are also at risk of theft, as they can be easily removed with a reciprocating saw.[29][30][31] Theft removal of the converter can often inadvertently damage the car's wiring or fuel line resulting in dangerous consequences. Rises in metal costs in the U.S. during recent years have led to a large increase in theft incidents of the converter,[32] which can then cost well over $1,000 to replace.[33]