This has worked for me in the past.
Go to the DMV with the VIN numbers.Just tell them you are looking into a car you want to buy etc etc,Tell them you want to know if it had a clean title,cause the guy could not produce one,so You didnt want to buy it yet.

It worked for me on a RX7,I had to track down the second owner,and have him get me a bill of sale etc etc.

If the title is not in his name,I would be knocking on his door with the police.
But in reality,your the one who screwed up.It looks like you can be assed out and your lost at 100%.
Also we have a TR user,seller rating.. use it