Thieving Scum

[Stevekid1]

This morning I woke up, opened the curtains and saw an empty driveway. My other pride and joy a white ST line Kuga reg EK17 TSV which is the only car i have ever had from brand new has been stolen off the drive. Had a large mechanical steering lock fitted and keys as always diligently put in a tin box in doors. Thankfully, they did not break in for the keys. Please can any members around Romford, Dagenham, Ilford etc keep an eye out although I suspect its already in a container!

Will be making sure my garage containing the Stag has extra security tonight.

Absolutely gutted.

[tvrgeek]

Steering wheel locks don't help when they just grab it with a tow truck.

[richardthestag]

sorry you lost the car Steve, must be gutting

there is a lot of this going on though

my mate was sleeping on the sofa, heard the front door and thought the Mrs was off out at 5am. went out to see her and was faced with two blokes balaclavad up. Opened the door without jemying it even though it was locked though maybe not double locked.

the two scumbags thought twice but then brain computed 6'8" man mountain was going to be a tough take down and scarpered.

He took chase, third cretin without balaclava was on the driveway with a box of tricks waiting for the car to unlock.

My mate managed to video the three of them and also the getaway car which without a doubt would have been stolen and on stolen plates.

Police said most likely after the A6 Quattro and Merc E class. rather than to burgle the house

Police reckoned most doors that are not deadlocked are easy to get through

mate is now installing cctv aside from evidence I doubt it will stop them

scum

[mike@thenook]

So sorry to hear you've had the scum round, disgusting!
The Police recently arrested and presumably let out on bail a crew of scum who had been nicking cars and breaking them/shipping them out - they found a whole warehouse full of Mercs, range Rovers, Audi's etc., not that far from we we live.
They are probably the same lot out while on bail, lining their pockets.
I know of at least 8 people round her that have had RR's stolen off their drives but none of them had any other form of locking device so hearing whats happened to yours with one is very worrying.

It's a shame it's not legal here to carry firearms - I'd love to get one of this lot between the eyes!

[404ROD]

I had a dream the other night that one of my cars had been trashed, I was very relieved when I woke up but yours is no dream. I am so sorry to to hear the scum bags have targeted you and you have lost your car. I can image how you feel. Best of luck with the investigation but as you say the car is most likely already in a container.

Rod

[Goldstar]

Sorry to hear this Steve. Obviously not the same in your case but in the case of scumbags breaking in for keys, most houses are a sitting target that I could get into in less than 30 seconds almost silently. Disappointing thing is that it is easy to solve for about the same cost as a tank of fuel for the average daily driver. Trouble is like chocolate parts for our cats, people won’t spend the right amount on their locks.

again sorry to hear your plight and I hope someone finds the scumbags and sticks hedgehogs in their Y fronts.

[Stevekid1]

Most interesting part of all this so far is police response, report at 8.45am and get crime number and at 8.30pm receive email to inform me that investigation closed. I know I will not be able to replace the car with the money I am likely to get from insurance so have resigned myself to looking on autotrader for the ugliest and most undesirable car I can find as a replacement daily driver. Any suggestions gratefully received!

[DJT]

Most interesting part of all this so far is police response, report at 8.45am and get crime number and at 8.30pm receive email to inform me that investigation closed.

Coming from a family of former, traditional, police officers (Father, Uncle and Cousin - all now passed) and growing up among the police community, it is very disappointing that they just don't seem interested in this type of crime any more. But I guess they are up against organised thieves who can whip a car off a driveway in seconds and, without quality CCTV and tracking devices the likelihood of recovery and conviction is virtually nil. My current daily (Audi Q2) is coming up for 3 years old and I would normally be considering its replacement around now, but I'm not sure that will happen for a while. Why bother spending hard-earned cash only for some low-life scum to decide they want it?

[tvrgeek]

Well, I built my B as a daily driver, but just too hard on my knees, so I intend for my Stag to replace my GTI. I am retired, so don't need a commuter though. Keeping my old truck.

Police. RIght. My car was totaled sitting in front of my house hit and run. Witness had the license plate of the car and description of the driver ( I think he actually knew him). I had the bumper skin. PG County Maryland was UNABLE to find the car owner! My insurance company did it in one day. No charges. Fully restored CRX, new powertrain., USAA paid me for scrap as it was more than 10 years old. THey said "sue the owner, but we represent him too so you will lose" Of course PG county cops only want to go on calls where they can get "stick time". I have heard this first hand from them. I moved to rural NC and my cars are in the garage. Ironic, next county over ( AA) has one of the best reputations in the country.

A friend had his Harley stolen. Be bought a vintage Indian as he figured the trash stealing bikes would not be able to start or ride a suicide clutch vintage bike. I figure the choke on my B is a pretty good deterrent.

[ramjam2005]

Quite a few decades ago when I owned a Ford Cortina Mk3 GXL (the 70's), I confronted 2 'erberts' after hearing my car alarm go off whilst parked outside my girlfriends house! For my troubles I took an upper-cut to the chin and threatened with a copper hammer before they legged it. Local neighbours hearing the confrontation had called the police and they were later apprehended in the local area based on my descriptions.

It does annoy me when watching TV shows like "Traffic Cops" etc that when caught some TWOC offenders just get off with a suspended sentence or case is dropped due to insufficient evidence. I bet if I wired my parked car up to 240 volt mains whilst on my "private" drive and a toe-rag got injured in an attempted theft I'd be up in front of a judge and sentenced in no time !!

[StagJonno]

Might be more subtle to configure your coil to give them some HT shocks. Less likely to kill them, but would give a lesson they wouldn't forget. You could then claim there must have been a wiring fault. Also, remember you or your SWMBO might accidentally shock yourselves.

[KOY 23]

Jonno. I would be interested to know your suggestions as how to do this on a diesel?
O.P. Never happened to me so I can only imagine your shock. Hope that you can get a satisfactory payment from the insurance, as if recovered it may not be the same.

[Stevekid1]

My biggest problem is still beating myself up about the situation. Have been too scared to get stag out of garage today despite the weather, in case some low life marks it. It is currently fully immobilised in the garage and the garage door has ten 100mm screws fixing it to the frame. Am now giving serious thought to selling the stag because I just don't need the worry and anxiety of owning it or leaving it parked anywhere. I know that modern society's view is "its just a car" but as a petrol head its much more than that to me. Perhaps this will change as time passes? However, think this unlikely as have been watching the skip gypsies all day going up and down the road looking for their shopping list!!

[KOY 23]

It’s understandable that you feel like that but you took all precautions and more to secure your property. It’s very sad that our property is not safe and the police don’t seem interested, in many cases they know where it’s likely to be but they won’t go there. Sad also that insurance company cannot replace a 2 year old

[StagJonno]

Jonno. I would be interested to know your suggestions as how to do this on a diesel?
O.P. Never happened to me so I can only imagine your shock. Hope that you can get a satisfactory payment from the insurance, as if recovered it may not be the same.

I'm sure a man of your capabilities could sort a little "accessory". Wouldn't want to be the designer and become an accessory meself