Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
Just had a phone call from my mate.
He has got up this morning to find both of the cars stolen off his drive.
It looks like the thieving scumbags have jammied his kitchen window and nicked the keys and his wallet while my mate and his family were all asleep upstairs.
Cars where his BMW 335d m sport and his wife's golf 2.0 tdi.
He is absolutely gutted.
Without being totally heartless, and ....
It happens all the time , to loads of people. So how is this of interest to STW
See the title up there about this being the chat forum. Which means you can post about pretty much anything.
If that's the case what does this have to do with STW.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/so-you-think-you-are-skint
It happens all the time , to loads of people. So how is this of interest to STW
So what? What's your point caller?
People build sheds all the time, install woodburners, make coffee, buy new razors, go on holiday, all of these and more seem to be of great interest to STW.
It's horrible... I had one of my type r's knicked off my drive. The keys were in my jeans on the floor next to my bed, about a foot from my face.
Then it was used in a spate of armed robberies and crashed into a wall during a police chase at 70 the perps got out and legged it. As told to me by the arresting officers.
Its a reminder to people who own cars that are likely to be stolen this way to put keys etc out of sight or even in a safe.
Sounds awful, not so much for the loss of the cars (assuming no insurance issues), but for the fact it was done by break in while they were asleep at home.
Happened to my old boss - she awoke and came downstairs as they were legging it out of the front door. Her husband's car had a tracker and was recovered, hers was never found.
They ended up moving because of the feeling of invasion.
His keys were hung up on a rack that you can't see from any window.
His children were asleep upstairs as well as my mate and his wife.
Imagine if one of the kids had got up in the night.
That knob up there ^^^^^ has really pissed me off now.
Its a reminder to people who own cars that are likely to be stolen this way to put keys etc out of sight or even in a safe.
I disagree, cover the basics, keep doors and downstairs windows locked etc, but IMO once they have decided to force entry, better to let them find your keys without confronting your family.
Personally I wouldn't go hiding the keys. If they've broken in to steal the cars, the chances are if they can't find them they might decide to wake you up and scare the shit out of you and your family till you hand them over. Friend in Manchester had a sawn off waved in his direction for his m3 several years ago.
It's what you have insurance for
I disagree, cover the basics, keep doors and downstairs windows locked etc, but IMO once they have decided to force entry, better to let them find your keys without confronting your family.
Very wise, if they are prepared to break in then they may not be averse to a bit of violence.
Its a reminder to people who own cars that are likely to be stolen this way to put keys etc out of sight or even in a safe.
The other school of thought is that it's better to leave them downstairs so they can find them easily and get out, rather than them coming upstairs and even lamping you until you hand them over. Not saying one is right and the other wrong, but they're in there specifically for the cars - look at the OPs vehicles - once they're in, maybe better that they're out ASAP with your car than coming anywhere near your family?
FFS - too slow x3
I doubt I would be more than mildly annoyed if one of my cars got stolen. Inconvenienced for sure. It would probably have a more exciting life than I give it.
Cars are just boxes for transporting bikes, shopping, and the wife IMO. They are easily replaced.
Steal one of my bikes though and I'd get somewhat agitated. The Ned Disrupter would be dug out from its place of concealment.
Horrible thing to happen. On the upside, the cars should be insured and he's had a security issue brought to his attention without injury or loss of anything irreplaceable. It's absolutely sickening to think that people have been in your house going through your stuff.
how is this of interest to STW
Why are you reading and replying to threads which are of no interest to you? Are you that stuck for something to do?
Same thing happened to my brother in law except it was the police who woke them up at 5am (front door still open) to tell them they had caught the perps racing each other around Bradford. As with ourmaninthenorths boss they moved soon after as his wife never felt safe in the house afterwards.
People build sheds all the time, install woodburners, make coffee, buy new razors, go on holiday, all of these and more seem to be of great interest to STW.
Yeah - but normally it is "theirs" not their mates, grannies or someones friend from down the pubs friend
I had my passport stolen once ....
think im safe with my 6 year old astra on the drive dont attaract much (any) attention
I think, our Skoda and Rover are safe!!
Had this happen to a friend, the car insurance were more interested in knowing that the keys were secured safety inside the house, apparently just having them in a locked house wasn't secure enough...
He was not impressed, and again was more worried that they could have come up and threaten him and his family, in order to get the keys if they were secured/hidden.
I think, our Skoda and Rover are safe!!
You'd think so, but the in-law's neighbours had their 5 or 6 year old Astra convertible nicked in the same way as the OP's mate. It wasn't anything special at all.
I doubt I would be more than mildly annoyed if one of my cars got stolen. Inconvenienced for sure. It would probably have a more exciting life than I give it.
🙂
Made my morning, that has. Thank you...
[quote=Pawsy_Bear ]think im safe with my 6 year old astra on the drive dont attaract much (any) attention
Good call. Left an Astra parked in a not particularly nice bit of Manc for a week (near friend's house) while on holiday, came back to find it still there, nothing missing, but door unlocked using the screwdriver method - clearly not even worth bothering nicking once they'd broken in.
I was at the receiving end of this style of crime four years ago. We had a Subaru Impreza and a fairly high spec BMW 1 Series stolen of the driveway. Front door was forced and my wife's handbag was taken which contained both keys. I heard the Subaru being started as it's alarm starting beeping (it had a complicated alarm) which woke me up and I stupidly ran out to confront the guy trying to drive it away. Luckily he drove it away before I could properly try and stop him.
At the time there was a spate of this style crime in the area. The cars where typically dumped somewhere in SW London for a few days to check they didn't have a tracker before being used for a crime. The Subaru had a Tracker but we hadn't paid to keep it live as it didn't reduce the insurance price. Once it was stolen it could be turned on but the tracking company refused despite being asked by the police.
The Subaru was eventually used for an armed robbery in London, it subsequently out ran the police and was then found dumped a few days later. The 1 series was never seen again, I would guess it is still being driven on cloned plates.
It has taken us a few years to go back to having nice cars again. House security is improved, better locks and an alarm system. Keys aren't specifically hidden or locked away, but are always out of view from the front door.
I had my passport stolen once ....
I've got a passport. What were the circumstances? Post up a thread and I might read it.
Used to have a garage full of motocross bikes. Broke into garage, couldn't get past chains so went through the house instead.
Usual stuff stolen, but they took my cockatiel bird as well! Keys for the car were on the bottom of the stairs, was a nearly new fiesta xr2, that was found dumped a few days later with the keys still in it.
We were in bed when it happened.
If someone nicked this right now they'd save me a job.
[IMG] 
[/IMG][/URL]
Left an Astra parked in a not particularly nice bit of Manc for a week (near friend's house) while on holiday, came back to find it still there
Guy I know left a works van over the weekend behind a pub. Company had a sign tacked to window say "Nothing of value is left in this vehicle overnight"
Came back to find a window smashed and a note saying "Just checking"
Interesting reading this, partly because an unrivalled level of Nobbish behaviour from one of us!
Just my tuppence worth:
I had a new (at the time) golf Gti stolen from my drive, they smashed a kitchen window and took the keys - I remember feeling incredibly angry, not for the car, but because the kids were asleep upstairs, above the kitchen.
The police were fantastic (not a phrase often typed!). The new where the car would be left to see if it had a tracker fitted and staked it out for a couple of days - no luck.
The team that looked after the crime were specifically targetted at higher value car crime - they said keep your keys with you as the last thing they will ever do is challenge you for them. They do not want to be recognised as that could be the end of their "career"
Of course the above only applies to "professional" car crime - the drugged up guy looking to get your car to sell on for more coke may not have this clarity of thought. I would have thought the chances would be in favour of the professionals , rather than hoodies doing a TWOC crime though?
"Nothing of value is left in this vehicle overnight"
Came back to find a window smashed and a note saying "Just checking"
At least they had a sense of humour 😉
Once it was stolen it could be turned on but the tracking company refused despite being asked by the police.
That's pretty short sighted really.
You'd have thought the insurance company would cough up the fee to get the car back.
Our caravan has a tracker but as it only knocks £20 off the insurance I'm hardly going to fork out the £120 to activate it.
To the folk mentioning not keeping their tracker contracts going - if something gets stolen, recovered and repaired on the insurance, your premium will go up a lot less than if they have to replace.
Canceled tracker contracts can be reactivated in the event of a vehicle being stolen. £600 though.
Steve, how old is your mates Beemer? Many 2011 models onwards (3 series and up) have an sos tracker installed in the factory but as the system is not in use in the UK they are dormant.
In some circumstances they can be reactivated. Contact me by email if you want some further details.
I had my passport stolen once ....
Thank you for reminding me - I need to renew mine.
Otherwise, I have no idea why I'm reading this thread, as some one "up there" said, that's what insurance is for.
Now, if only someone would steal our Kangoo, then maybe I could persuade t'other half to get a VW Caddy Maxi...
About 7 years ago I got my car nicked off the drive. It was beast - a 52 plate Suzuki Ignis 1.3GL. 97bhp of frugal motoring on tap.
They broke in and took the keys from downstairs. Woke up and took a while to work out it was gone. They couldn't handle the power and burnt it out later that night.
It's all well and good having insurance - but by the time the ballache, the cost to replace vs what the insurance pay, increased premiums etc. were added up it cost me £1k. They guys that did it got caught, they were thick as sh1t and the police were pretty good.
Our house shared a drive with the neighbours. He had a nearly new Porsche 911. I think they may have broken into the wrong house.
Bregante ... Thanks for the offer but its a 2006 56 plate.
He had just had 4 new runflat tyres put on it in the week at over 700 quid !
Like you say though cars can be replaced, its the fact that someone was in the house whilst they were sleeping !!
Ah. Ignore my email then 🙁
Cheers though !!
Horrible thing to happen. On the upside, the cars should be insured and he's had a security issue brought to his attention without injury or loss of anything irreplaceable. It's absolutely sickening to think that people have been in your house going through your stuff.
how is this of interest to STW
Why are you reading and replying to threads which are of no interest to you? Are you that stuck for something to do?
Well said ,
Not nice at all but at least they only took cars. My mate had his car nicked off the drive after scumbags broke into the kitchen looking for keys.
They also went upstairs with kitchen knives taken from downstairs and took a load of jewelery etc.
THankfully my mate and family had gone away on holiday that morning.
Mrmoofo what a tosser!
I wouldn't be too sure about older cars being less attractive; they're also easier to steal (keys notwithstanding).
My first car was a 1977 1.1L Fiesta, which was thirteen years old when I acquired it. That was stolen one day from the road outside my house. After searching far and wide, I discovered it abandoned on a side street a few blocks away. They'd gained access by smashing a window (which was annoying cos you could've unlocked the door with a broken biscuit), and had started it with a screwdriver in the ignition barrel. IIRC, the stereo had been appropriated as well.
I don't want to appear unsympathetic to the op because I am and hope the incident doesn't have any lasting consequences but if I lived in the sort of place people broke into your house to steal a car I would move. That may mean compromising on the work options or lifestyle but having lived in lots of areas of high crime and somewhere that a tipped wheely bin makes the newspaper I wish I'd got out earlier.
Mrmoofo what a tosser!
How mature 😆
Shit happens - load of shit has many to many of my friends. But fortunately I don't feel a need to post about on social media.
I trust the friend of the OP has insurance - so it's just one of those things
The passport - stolen in Oz. Proved to be a real PITA. Fortunately I had taken a note of my passport number. It still took 2 days at the UK consulate to get and emergency one to get back.
Without the number it would have been worse. Always have a photocopy of you passport!
It gave me hassle for the next 10 years traveling - esp to the US
Mrmoofo
The passport - stolen in Oz. Proved to be a real PITA. Fortunately I had taken a note of my passport number. It still took 2 days at the UK consulate to get and emergency one to get back.
Without the number it would have been worse. Always have a photocopy of you passport!
It gave me hassle for the next 10 years traveling - esp to the US
[Without being totally heartless, and ....
It happens all the time , to loads of people. So how is this of interest to STW
mrmoofo - Member
Shit happens - load of shit has many to many of my friends. But fortunately I don't feel a need to post about on social media.
I trust the friend of the OP has insurance - so it's just one of those things
Sure it happens to loads of people, but STW is hardly social media & of the 200+ people I know through work only 1 has been broken into to have their car stolen. I don't think people breaking into your house is "Just on of those things"
I can fully appreciate how it would make you feel vulnerable in your own house & change your feelings about where you live.
What amazes me is the number of BMWs which are stolen round here (Surrey)while the keys are in the house. At one point three were stolen from the same street in one night.
Just said as i saw, your were being a complete tosser with that comment, simple as, if it is of no interest to you then stfu!
I bet they are stolen to be sold on to those in the eastern block or African states. They like German cars there.
Nobody wants the German and European cars in the far east so you can rule that out.
By the way can I kill armed intruders threatening my family? Seriously. 🙂
Of no consolation obviously, but it seems the new Range Rover Sports have a security flaw which allows them to be nicked, about ten stolen from one street near to my parents house in North London 😐
Just said as i saw, your were being a complete tosser with that comment, simple as, if it is of no interest to you then stfu!
That's not a very Christian attitude is it !!
I'm sure the OP is big enough to fight his own battles without asking his harder mates to get involved.
Lets - agree. You don't reply with something personal again, and then I won't bother posting either
It happens all the time , to loads of people. So how is this of interest to STW
Dunno - someone up there asked, so I just replied. And yes it does happen all the time. And it actually happened to me, not a mate !!
And I didn't post about it until asked.
And yes, it is no interest to anyone 🙄 that was sort of the point
My mate's coming round to watch the football, but he's running a bit late so he's missed kick off.
Thats nothing, I went out for a ride today & saw a female bullfinch.
I find it reassuring to know that a simple improvised immobiliser makes my 24 year old Land Rover harder to steal than a brand new £30000 BMW.
Yeah, I once home-brewed an immobiliser on a car, by cutting the ignition circuit behind the dash and adding a hidden toggle switch. Even with the key, you weren't going to start it unless you knew where it was. Never had cause to test it, fortunately.
[img] 
[/img]
I've just been for a run.
I think, our Skoda and Rover are safe!!
I know where you live and the neighbours you have. Get trackers on them and 24hr security 😀
That's not a very Christian attitude is it !!
I'm sure the OP is big enough to fight his own battles without asking his harder mates to get involved.
FWIW, I think your attitude shows you to be a bit of a tosser, and as I'm not a Christian, I don't have to have a Christian attitude either.
As regards Trackers, if I had a car that was worth stealing, and a very mucky Octavia isn't, I think I'd get hold of an old iPhone 4/4S, fix up a USB connection to it so that its permanently on and hidden inside the dash, with Find My iPhone enabled.
Cost, about the same as a year's Tracker with no ongoing fees.
Just a thought.
FWIW, I think your attitude shows you to be a bit of a tosser, and as I'm not a Christian, I don't have to have a Christian attitude either.
You never meet me, so big words ...
Let keep it mutual ... 🙄
[quote=CountZero ]As regards Trackers, if I had a car that was worth stealing, and a very mucky Octavia isn't, I think I'd get hold of an old iPhone 4/4S, fix up a USB connection to it so that its permanently on and hidden inside the dash, with Find My iPhone enabled.
Cost, about the same as a year's Tracker with no ongoing fees.
Just a thought.
Though you'd presumably need a valid SIM card which involves some ongoing cost (or can you keep a PAYG one live by phoning it every now and then even if it doesn't pick up?) In which case even cheaper is any cheap old Android phone - hadn't thought about this before, but surprised to find how easy it is without enabling anything, went to https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager and it shows where my phone is.
Article on you and yours , monday last week and watchdog last thursday about security faults failures on bmws audis and range rovers, making them easy to steal without the keys.
But to the op always intresting to know somebody has had stuff nicked and how it was done, so we may all take better precautions and try and protect our property.
By all accounts they have drilled 5 or 6 holes into the framework of his back window and then fed something through to undo the latch.
Everything that was on the kitchen windowsill was lined up on the lawn as it came out the window
The bmw was spotted at 04:00 this morning on the m42 setting all the cameras off. Weirdly it was still on it's private plate.
M sport diesel BMW, private number plates - how vulgar. A great opportunity to replace them with something a bit more sophisticated.
That's nice of you.
He worked and saved very hard for his car.
crikey this place has become savage.
Problem might be that it wasn't the OP, but his mate.
So however shitty this is, no one to give sympathy to directly, and probably not much to learn. The keys were out of view. Could have happened to any of us. But loads of cars get nicked every day and not each one deserves its own thread. Just saying
Is there a contest on to find out who can be the most obnoxious? Out of interest would you walk into a pub and gob off like this, no didn't think so.
Could have happened to any of us
Not to those of us who hide their keys and independently immobilise their vehicle it couldn't. 😉
I'm not saying my Land Rover will never get stolen, but if you've "worked and saved very hard" for a car, surely it makes sense to put a bit of thought in to theft prevention beyond simply locking it up and hanging the key on a hook by the front door.
Maybe this thread will spur that thought for some.
Because the thief threatening you and your family would be better? This doesn't sound like a simple case of "hooking".
Tracker or remote disabler ftw here. People saying their stuff won't get nicked are being smug. Anything can be taken away. Cars get repo'd.
This was a shitty thing to happen. Feeling good because it didn't happen to us would be smug. Feeling terribly hurt for someone we don't know when they and their family were ok, and it was two cars nicked, not their entire home trashed and covered in crap, would seem a bit odd too.
There is a middle line here. I'm just saying why this thread hasn't turned into a formal book of commiseration.
I realise that if a thief has gone to the trouble of breaking in to your house and can't find the key downstairs, there's a risk that they will then come upstairs looking for it.
However, if I was a car thief, I would think of simply mugging someone on their drive for their key and phone as they arrive home alone would be an easier option than searching for the master bedroom in a strange house in the dark and hoping there were no other adults in any of the other rooms to raise the alarm.
plyphon - Member
crikey this place has become savage
It's cuz they dont finish with "just kidding :D". Innit.
No one knows the rules anymore. Someone somewhere's having a hard time JUDGE THEM!
The passport - stolen in Oz. Proved to be a real PITA. Fortunately I had taken a note of my passport number. It still took 2 days at the UK consulate to get and emergency one to get back.
Without the number it would have been worse. Always have a photocopy of you passport!
this is boring as batshit and on balance I preferred the OP greatly
Unfortunately some people do appear to get very envious of people who work hard and buy nice cars, like in the stupid comments above. If it had been a Skoda Octavia and Fabia the OP would have got 100% sympathy.
The other comment about living in a crap area is very untrue as well. They probably live in a very nice area, and the scum travel to the nice area for rich pickings.
Awful thing to happen regardless.
I have a new BMW, and I did think about being at a higher risk of this aggressive type of car crime just from owning one.
It happened to my Mum on Saturday
Both cars gone after a day out
Unfortunately some people do appear to get very envious of people who work hard and buy nice cars
On the other hand, nobody buys a BMW because it's a cheap and practical form of personal transport.
You've got to expect a bit of schadenfreude if you get your status symbol stolen.
That and, well, you know, BMW drivers...
FunkyDunc - Member
The other comment about living in a crap area is very untrue as well. They probably live in a very nice area, and the scum travel to the nice area for rich pickings.
This is absolutely spot on
It is spot on.
He lives on one of the nicer estate in the town.
police told him that two weeks ago another BMW was taken from the the close out the back of my mates.
It happened to my Mum on SaturdayBoth cars gone after a day out
Bugger. Nightmare.
He lives on one of the nicer estate in the town.
Sorry, I don't understand.
Unfortunately some people do appear to get very envious of people who work hard and buy nice cars
Sorry, I don't understand this either.