topic Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night! in Community Chat

My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Anonymous032819 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:50:31 GMT

I only have on street parking, and I park right in front of my house. In fact, my car is less than 10 steps from my front door. I keep my front porch light on all night long. My bedroom faces the street. I can see my car from my bedroom window.

I went out to my car this morning, and discovered that someone had somehow broken into my car in the middle of the night.

No windows were broken, the car alarm didn't go off.

The low life took a handful of coins that I kept in a cubby that was closed, but they left the pennies on my drivers seat. They also took four cds that were in the center console and my emergency window smasher, which was also In the center console. The center console was closed.

At first I was shocked, surprised and confused.

How did they get in without breaking any windows, or setting off the car alarm?

Now I am just upset.

I know that the homeless like to hang out in the vacant lot next to my house, as I often hear them talking.

I filed an on line police report of what happened.

I live in a busy street.

Right now, I am just so fed up with humanity.

I know that it could've been worse.

I could've had my window/s broken, stuff stolen from the globe box, etc, but still.

It's the principal of it all.

Some stranger was going through my personal property.

I need to get one of those Ring things.

Next paycheck.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

chessylady — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:56:32 GMT

Is it possible you accidentally left the car unlocked? Thieves often go around neighborhoods checking for open car doors.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

mspatmac — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:57:11 GMT

So sorry @Anonymous032819 Horrible feeling when your personal space is violated and that includes your car.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

tends2dogs — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:59:46 GMT

Sorry you were violated, @Anonymous032819 . You have to be feeling a whole realm of emotions right. Yes, it could have been worse and thank the Lord you had no personal harm. Yes, I vote for you getting a RING. Try to shake it off.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Cakers3 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:01:18 GMT

@Anonymous032819

There was a local segment on our news some time ago which showed how thieves manage to bypass alarms. It had to do with them lifting up the door handle and using a device under the door handle to deactivate the electric component of the car.

I am trying to find it but you might be able to use a general search to see how it works.

Ring cameras are good and set at the highest detection at night will pick up everything going by, so you may end up with alerts even if a cat walks by.

It can be set to detect only human motion but some users have found that this feature doesn't always work.

Good luck. It is a very uncomfortable feeling when somebody invades your personal space.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Goodie2shoes — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:03:47 GMT

So sorry you are having to deal with this sort of thing. It's very frustrating and it is so sad that people have to take from others. I have a ring doorbell and it's been a good investment. Years ago I was out shopping, came back home and as I walked up on my back porch I noticed my backdoor had been broken into. I ran to my neighbor who called the police. Luckily nothing was stolen, I had a brinks door alarm at that time and it scared them off. Stay safe, the ring doorbell is a good investment in my opinion

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Sooner — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:04:27 GMT

@Anonymous032819 I am so sorry for you! It is happening more and more in our city! It is hard for me to believe that all of a sudden we've had this AND with them stealing cars. And it's all over the city.

There is a city not far from us that is having a real fight over whether the police will get less funding or not, and I wonder if criminals are attracted by this in many places and feel a lot safer roaming at night to rob from us.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Cakers3 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:13:13 GMT

@Anonymous032819 If I remember it has to do with a device called a black box. It is some type of hand held hacking device that overrides the electrical system.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

golding76 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:38:19 GMT

Anonymous,

I am upset that this happened to you, and I commiserate with you. There are few things as disturbing as feeling you and your "things" have been personally violated.

My hope is that this never happens again to you or your possessions and that you can reclaim a bit of the pre-violation feeling of safety you had.

Reach for some inner strength now and move forward. Perhaps stronger lights facing your car as well as that Ring?

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

spiderw — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:35:01 GMT

I am sorry to hear this and relate to your anger and frustration.

Many years ago I stayed at my summer house in the country and when Sept. came I closed it up for the winter months. There was a family across the road who consisted of parents and quite a few kids. My house was broken in to several times and I knew it was the kids across the road, they hung out in the house. Of course the cops did nothing or claimed they would check into it when I put in complaints. Nothing resulted.

My anger toward that family ran deep. People who break into homes and cars violate our privacy and lives.. It is a frustrating feeling to say the least.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:41:14 GMT

Many people in my city have posted video from their ring on our community FB page, of people checking their car doors. We saw someone walk up our driveway and check my doors one night.

My DH's car was ransacked a number of years ago while parked in our driveway. It was a super old work car and didn't lock. They scattered stuff around on the seats and floor but he had nothing worth taking.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

SeaMaiden — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:47:26 GMT

@Anonymous032819 always good to never leave your car title and important papers in your glove box if you park your car outside. That way they do not get ahold of your address and name.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

stevieb — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:55:16 GMT

Sorry this happened. My home was broken into many years ago and it's an awful feeling. I lost a lot and remained paranoid for some months. I'm really surprised the alarm didn't go off regardless. Around here, they seem to go off regularly for no good reason. Personally, I wish they'd stop putting them in cars altogether other than as an option and then use better and more sophisticated equipment that can be turned on or off, like they used to be. And yes, I realize owners can upgrade and as far as I'm concerned that's what they should do if they want a workable alarm that isn't constantly crying wolf and disturbing the entire neighborhood.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:02:48 GMT

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Over the past several years, our little rural town has had various car thefts due to growing drug use (at least that is my theory). My next door neighbor had her car broken into and all they took were quarters she kept in some compartment in her car.

I lock my doors anywhere and everywhere and don't keep valuables in it. I keep a couple extra pair of cheap sunglasses in case I forget mine and some insulated bags for groceries but that's it.

I'm glad they didn't get anything else but I would feel so violated too!

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

skatting44 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:12:59 GMT

Where I live , there have been groups known to roam housing developments out in the suburbs at night . Cars have been broken into on a regular basis along with stealing laser outdoor Christmas projectors and homeowners porche chairs .

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

riley1 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:17:24 GMT

We see an uptick of cars being broken into during tourist season. It amazes what people leave in their car. And, the number that don't lock their cars is mind boggling.

Lately they have been stealing catalytic converters. I guess they sell for a hefty price.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Tink814 — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:17:45 GMT

I'm so sorry that happened to you. What a scary feeling. I know a lot of people talk about Ring, but there is also Remo+ over the door camera. I bought one after I moved into my house. I live alone and don't have the tools to install the Ring doorbell. The Remo just hangs over the door and connects to your cell phone.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

On It — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:26:07 GMT

@skatting44 wrote:
Where I live , there have been groups known to roam housing developments out in the suburbs at night . Cars have been broken into on a regular basis along with stealing laser outdoor Christmas projectors and homeowners porche chairs .

We have had the same problem back home in Texas. These people are on the roam nightly. Fortunately, @Anonymous032819 sounds more random. Entire neighborhoods are burglarized taking any and everything from cars left outside. We have motion sensor lights installed in our driveway which is at the rear of the house. It seems to help discourage unwanted visitors. I would suggest them for this situation, but they are very bright to be outside a bedroom window. Birds, roaming cats, etc will set them off.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:27:30 GMT

I have RING, if someone walks up the driveway the alarm (your choosing the type of tone) goes off and warns me that someone or something is near.

I'm not sure if that will help you but I would suggest a steering lock arm which deters anyone who wants to break in.

So sorry, it hurts when you are violated.

Re: My Car Was Broken into Last Night!

akaburtonfan — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:28:36 GMT

I'm sorry that happened. As you said it could have been worse. In my area they are stealing catalytic converters off of cars and trucks. Apparently there's valuable metals in them.