I need the help of car buffs and internet sleuths. On Friday night the home of a friend of mine was broken into. I happened to catch video of the car used on my home security system.
Can anyone here please help identify the make, model and year of this car? I know it’s 4 door, I think it has a spoiler, and nice wheels. The squared off fenders around the rear wheels seem like a giveaway to me, and I could have sworn I had seen an Accord that looked like this, but I’m just not sure.
Any help would be appreciated! Links to pictures or other proof would be helpful as I pass it on to the police. We have a good officer working with us on the case.
The video looked distorted to me. The overall shape, plus the headlight shape looked Mazda if the video lengthens and flattens the car. On second look there appears to be a licence tag overhang that is not characteristic of the Mazda 6. Still the shape is very similar.
My son thinks it’s a 2010+ Mercedes Benz E-Class coupe.
He says:
“The lower body line from the front wheel to the back are the same as well as the body line above the rear wheel. The wheels are similar too but I think the ones in the video are chrome. If the pic is too small just do a search for the car.”
Although why someone driving a Benz would be burgling is a puzzlement.
Other than the make of the car, the way that they quickly stopped and got out of the car makes it seem like they knew their target ahead of time, and knew that what they wanted would be taken quickly.
If your friend doesn’t recognize the car and the people, he needs to think about who else could have been to the house and could have fed information to the thieves. It also wouldn’t hurt to see if you have (maybe better) video of these same people at an earlier (maybe daylight) time, while casing the place.
Judging by the deliberate way they leapt out of the car and the casual way they approached the house it seems (to me) they knew exactly what house they wanted to hit. When this happens it’s usually done by someone who has a pretty clear idea of what they want and where to get it. They also apparently knew the homeowners were not home at 9 in the evening which is an odd time for a break in. This often means the person knows them.
Has your neighbor given you any hint that he or she knows who they are?
It probably looks longer and lower in the photo too. That seems to be common with photos of cars – they’ve been made to appear aerodynamic since the 40’s. The wheels are the same, and that indentation along the bottom. But the one in the video looks like it has a spoiler, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of room to put a spoiler on the Benz.
Looking at the video again it does look like a 2 door. The brake light in the rear on the trunk ridge is not really a defining characteristic as they are pretty common. I have been in the situation of having a picture of the car used to haul my stuff away. Break ins are horribly unsettling as is the feeling of almost! having enough info to find those responsible.
Your son is right. The lines are similar. Not a match for sure given the fact that the car appears to be 2 door. Hippy may have it in one though. Hyundai’s often look very euro and the money saved could fund fancy rims…
If it is a 2010 Mercedes 350 E class using a car that cost $80,000 - $90,000 new for a B&E getaway car seems a bit odd to say the least on several levels. People doing B&Es are usually pretty desperate and driving shit boxes. These guys were in a hurry, but they were also pretty casual stopping in front of the house at 9PM and walking up the front steps. They knew exactly where to go, when to go, and what they wanted.
Out of curiosity what got taken? I’d be really surprised if your neighbor or possibly your neighbor’s kids didn’t already know who these guys are. Before you invest more time in this I’d have another talk with your neighbor.
The wheels are the same, and that indentation along the bottom. But the one in the video looks like it has a spoiler, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of room to put a spoiler on the Benz.
