# So My Car Got Stolen... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 14, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553 "2018-03-14T15:47:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/41 "2018-03-16T02:42:18Z")
If they did wish to share with the cops that they had an open relationship and this was how they knew her, I can assure (generic) you that it probably wouldn’t be the first time those officers had heard that. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/42 "2018-03-16T03:13:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Unless you’re the mayor, you don’t have the option of summoning the police, telling them only what you choose to tell them, and dismissing them with an offhand _“Now go fetch my car like good minions.”_ > > What happens with the rest of us is you call the police and report the crime. They will show up and they will ask you questions about the crime including the suspect if you can identify one. And _“How do you know this person?”_ is going to be one of those questions. > > Now you can be evasive if you want to try it. But the police are going to notice you’re evading the question. Or you can try straight-up lying. > > Either way, when the police catch up with this woman and your car, she’s probably going to tell them a story rather than admit she stole your car. She’ll say _“Yeah, they invited me over to their house for a threeway. The guy is my old boyfriend and we get along great. So I asked if I could borrow his car for a few days and he said yes. But his wife is jealous because she knows he likes me better than her. So they started arguing about him loaning me the car. Well, I didn’t want to stick around for that and he had already given me his permission and the keys so I left. Anyway after I left she must have convinced him to say I stole the car to get me in trouble.”_ > > Now at this point, it’s a case of what you’re saying versus what she’s saying. And that part earlier, where you were being evasive? That’s going to count against the police believing you. And if you tried lying and told the police she just came over for a round of board games, it’s going to go worse. And if you try to keep lying and still deny there was any sex, she’ll ask for a medical exam. After that, you might be facing criminal charges yourself. And the text record of making hook-up arrangements on Tindr? Or is that a thing? ---
**Author:** ![Anxious\_Squirrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anxious_squirrel/32/1083_2.png) [@Anxious\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anxious_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/43 "2018-03-16T03:14:19Z")
As long as you can prove the car belongs to you and not her it shouldn’t matter what she says, I would assume. As far as getting your car back. Even if you had said she could borrow it for say a week and then 3 days later decided to call the cops and report it stolen I imagine they would still give your car back. She could always sue you on Judge Judy, but as far as getting your car back I’d think the only pertinent detail would be that it belongs to you and not to her. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/44 "2018-03-16T03:22:58Z")
I’m not sure what you understood the OP to be about. She and **Ambivalid** already have the car back. Any protestations the Tinder girl might be making at this point will be solely about beating a GTA rap. ---
**Author:** ![Anxious\_Squirrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anxious_squirrel/32/1083_2.png) [@Anxious\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anxious_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/45 "2018-03-16T03:36:51Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’m not sure what you understood the OP to be about. She and **Ambivalid** already have the car back. Any protestations the Tinder girl might be making at this point will be solely about beating a GTA rap. Ah, I see. 🙂 I kinda forgot that they put in people in jail for car theft. I was just focusing on what the important part to me would be - getting the car back - and I couldn’t quite figure out why everyone was going on about the girl or why they’d care what she said. But I guess if there’s a court hearing and Ambivalid has to testify or something like that trouble could arise, maybe. Do they have court hearing and jury trials for stuff like this? I guess if they do for drugs they would for stealing. I should prolly read the op again. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/46 "2018-03-16T03:39:14Z")
> [@TheMysteryWriter](#): > > As long as you can prove the car belongs to you and not her it shouldn’t matter what she says, I would assume. As far as getting your car back. Even if you had said she could borrow it for say a week and then 3 days later decided to call the cops and report it stolen I imagine they would still give your car back. She could always sue you on Judge Judy, but as far as getting your car back I’d think the only pertinent detail would be that it belongs to you and not to her. Yes, you always own the car and can request its return at any time, even if you gave permission for somebody else to borrow it. The issue is whether or not that person stole the car by driving it without your permission. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/47 "2018-03-16T10:52:05Z")
> [@TheMysteryWriter](#): > > Do they have court hearing and jury trials for stuff like this? I’ve read a few mysteries where they did. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/48 "2018-03-16T11:34:35Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > _Yeah, they invited me over to their house for a threeway._ “I got clamped…and so did the car.” ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/49 "2018-03-16T14:55:27Z")
> [@digs](#): > > “Oh, uh… I guess there weren’t any keys… yeah, now I remember, he left the screwdriver in the ignition!” Nope, screwdriver was [one of these](https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-4-in-1-slotted-screwdriver-keychain?taxon_id=1868) on my key ring. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/50 "2018-03-16T17:29:28Z")
An idiot(s) broke into my car a few suumer ago and snagged some electronics. He also tried to start the car with a screwdriver, despite a prominent “this car has an ignition kill switch” sticker. Dude was thirsty for a 15yo BMW with 150k on it - plus my inspection windshield sticker was expired (cops are Nazis about this around here); moreover the car has a very distinctive vanity plate. Grand Theft Auto dude would’ve been pulled over sooner than later. Not that the idiot weighed any of this in considering a car to steal. Plus: in the history of earth, has anyone anywhere been able to start a car via screwdriver? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/51 "2018-03-16T19:49:25Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Plus: in the history of earth, has anyone anywhere been able to start a car via screwdriver? Post #33. I had a 1967 BelAir that, as long as it fit in the ignition switch, you could use almost anything to start it. Some older Ford vehicles had the starter solenoid up on the firewall and you could start the vehicle by jumping across the terminals with a screwdriver. Also, you could do it on some older vehicles by jumping across the terminals on the starter itself with a screwdriver. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/52 "2018-03-16T22:53:01Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Post #33. > > I had a 1967 BelAir that, as long as it fit in the ignition switch, you could use almost anything to start it. > > Some older Ford vehicles had the starter solenoid up on the firewall and you could start the vehicle by jumping across the terminals with a screwdriver. Also, you could do it on some older vehicles by jumping across the terminals on the starter itself with a screwdriver. Does this method work on newer cars? ---
**Author:** ![Anxious\_Squirrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anxious_squirrel/32/1083_2.png) [@Anxious\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anxious_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/53 "2018-03-16T23:00:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve read a few mysteries where they did. Ooh, which ones? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/54 "2018-03-16T23:14:12Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Plus: in the history of earth, has anyone anywhere been able to start a car via screwdriver? Back when I was in high school (1990s), our drivers’ ed teacher taught us that method, along with the coathanger trick, just in case we lost our keys. I doubt it would work nowadays, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/55 "2018-03-17T05:51:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Back when I was in high school (1990s), our drivers’ ed teacher taught us that method, along with the coathanger trick, just in case we lost our keys. I doubt it would work nowadays, though. Wow. I went thru driver’s ed in the 90s as well. I don’t think they taught any of that shit lol. Our shit was suck a joke, we used to smoke joints while driving on the big, long drivers track out back of the high school. Seriously, you really had to be a fuck-up who was probably better off never being behind the wheel of an automobile if you couldn’t pass school-based driver’s ed in MI in the early-to-mid '90s. I truly honestly gained minimal-if any-drivers education from drivers ed. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/56 "2018-03-17T23:28:51Z")
> [@tvaetbjorn](#): > > Exactly. We were stunned. Spent hours just trying to text her and coax her into bringing it back. I don’t get it at all. All she had to do was bring the car back. I don’t know what happened in her head. You assume something was happening in her head. Some people do dumb shit. It’s not because they think things out, it’s because they _don’t_. > [@](#): > > And now… She’s going to jail or suffering some kind of penalty because she refused to bring it back. It’s really sad. She seemed like a sweet girl. I didn’t want to screw anyone’s life up over this. ☹ I’m with Qadgop on this - YOU are not the one screwing up her life. She is. She did a dumb-ass thing. She’s going to pay a price for being a dumb-ass. Jails and prisons are full of people like that. Of course she seemed like a sweet girl - that’s how she gets into a position where she can fuck with other people. There’s been no mention made of why Ambivalid broke up with this chick, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was due to manipulation, dumb-ass actions, and pulling stunts like this. (No, Ambivalid, you don’t have to answer or give us any information on that if you don’t want to do so) > [@Ambivalid](#): > > Seriously, you really had to be a fuck-up who was probably better off never being behind the wheel of an automobile if you couldn’t pass school-based driver’s ed in MI in the early-to-mid '90s. I truly honestly gained minimal-if any-drivers education from drivers ed. I hear they had toughened it up by the '90’s compared to what I had around 1980. Yep, Michigan driver’s ed was pretty unimpressive… My oldest sister supposedly flunked out of her first driver’s ed session in the early 1970’s though she passed a subsequent class. Eventually (although unfortunately after several accidents) she gave up trying to drive, much to everyone’s relief. Yep, I’d say your appraisal of that was spot on. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/57 "2018-03-18T00:05:55Z")
For one thing, I never actually _dated_ the car-thief girl. I just knew her from years ago. Never dated tho. And an interesting little side note, I swear the car is cleaner after we picked it up from the impound yard than it was when it was stolen. Shiny, even waxy, with not a speck of dirt on it. I do not understand. I mean, did this girl wash my car after she stole it? Then shortly thereafter just up and leave it? If so, thanks car thief! You can come steal my car anytime! j/k ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/58 "2018-03-18T00:32:36Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Wow. I went thru driver’s ed in the 90s as well. I don’t think they taught any of that shit lol. Our shit was suck a joke, we used to smoke joints while driving on the big, long drivers track out back of the high school. Seriously, you really had to be a fuck-up who was probably better off never being behind the wheel of an automobile if you couldn’t pass school-based driver’s ed in MI in the early-to-mid '90s. I truly honestly gained minimal-if any-drivers education from drivers ed. Yeah, our instructor was a real hoot. He once showed us where Mario Lemieux lived, too. On the downside, we never got to watch any of those really graphic movies about the dangers of wreckless driving. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553/59 "2018-03-19T14:58:53Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Does this method work on newer cars? Probably not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-car-got-stolen/810553.md?page=2)