Someone who didn’t get what they wanted for Christmas last night decided to try and find it in my truck. They made off with about 30 CDs, a Sog knife I keep in the center console, a bunch of change and some other stuff. I haven’t really taken stock yet, but the glove compartment was empty and it’s usually stuffed (maybe they got all those Taco Bell napkins I was hording ;)). Anyway, it was my own fault, I left the door unlocked for some reason. But, it still sucks, being Christmas and all. Plus they made off with my COMPLETE Bjork collection (about 10 CDs), including a couple imports that cost about 30 bucks apiece.
Funny thing is, I’m not totally pissed, like I would normally be. I’m just sort of…sad. I had such a great Christmas, and I really have everything I need and want, so I’m just trying to think of this as “helping the needy” or something. Oh well, happy holidays…
Don’t think of it as helping the needy, either. What goes around comes around, and if some flaming ahole is going to be such a knuckle-dragging monkey f*** and bust in to your vehicle on Christmas, well, he’ll get his. Someday, it will come back on him.
I used to keep change in my car, plainly viewable through the window. Anyway, one night I left the door unlocked, and someone took all the change, but nothing else. Left my radio, CDs, etc. They didn’t close the door all the way so as not to make any noise.
Must have been really desperate for a cup of coffee (7-11 is right around the corner). There couldn’t have been more then $2-3 in change. I felt so violated though.
That kind of sucks. I myself leave my car unlocked all the time, but I don’t have much of value in there.
(Pardon my ignorance, but what does the name of a person enclosed in lots of parentheses, as above, signify? I’m kind of new to the world of SDMB-ese.)
Those parentheses with a name inside means a hug, nin. I’d type one, but I’d rather give the real thing when Demo gets home.
I leave my door unlocked all the time too, at least in front of the house. And Demo has warned me several times about this, even though I really have nothing of significance in my car, either. I will be sure to lock up after this little incident, that is for sure.
Actually, guys, I’d recommend NOT locking the door, for the exact reason fun stated-your window DIDN’T get smashed. If your stereo is a removable face, I’d just try to remeber to take the CDs out with the face. It’s what I do now, and I know for a fact that people have gotten into my car since the last time my CDs were stolen (and for the record, I did the exact same thing you did, Demo). They’ve rifled through my stuff, but there wasn’t anything of value there (other than meter change, which apparently is beneath them), so they’ve left empty-handed. I think most thieves actually try the handle first, on the off chance it’s their lucky day. And even if they do get your stuff, at least you’re not out the cost of the window, too. Let’s face it, if they want in, they’ll get in.
And on that uplifting note, I am sorry bout your stuff, dude. I’ve been there once or three times myself.
I wouldn’t say this is always true (depending on where your car is). I don’t think someone would break my car window in my driveway to hopefully steal something of value. To break a window (making lots of noise) and then stay there rifling through stuff in the car on the off chance that someone heard the noise and looks out the window is risking too much for a non-guaranteed score. To be able to get in and out of the car without making a sound would be more practical for a random search for valuables. In the example I gave above, the thief closed the car door, but not all the way so they didn’t have to slam it. Leaving the door unlocked is inviting theft, even if it’s just from beggars who take the change in plain sight.
Of course, if you know beforehand that someone is going to break into your car no matter what, then by all means leave the door open and avoid the broken window.
Hey thanks guys. You know, misery loves company. And, I am thankful they didn’t smash the window or take my CD player. I think the solution I’ve decided on is not to leave anything in the car (I don’t have a detachable face on the CD player, so that will have to stay) and to get an alarm.
