Someone stole our car!

[Kiwibird]

OMG. I am seriously in almost a state of shock. Went out to run some errands and discover someone stole our car Not the nice mustang mind you. Nope. They stole our beat up, dinged up crappy old civic that wasn't even consistently turning over ATM because we needed to replace the battery. Seriously?! SERIOUSLY! They steal a car probably worth $800 over any number of much, much nicer cars parked on the street and parking lots. We contacted the HOA and it was 100% for sure not towed, and worse, last time we drove it was Monday night so we don't even know what time it was stolen. We haven't seen any shady looking people here, everyone looks normal and 'working class'. Even the sheriffs seemed surprised because this isn't a high-crime area. We don't know anyone here, no one else has keys and we were parked wayyyy up at the very very top street parking area (and while a public road, it is a dead end and only used to access these condos)...

I just don't know why the universe has decided to rain such chaos upon us this year. It's like if it can happen, it has been lately!

 

[Terry57]

April, I am so sorry! Thieves make me so furious, stealing from hard working people.
You guys have certainly had your fair share of bad things to happen this year, I am just so sorry.
I am hoping it was just taken for a joyride and is found soon with no damage.

 

[happy410]

That stinks! I despise a thief! I hope the rest of the year is good to you. Our year for everything to happen was last year. I couldn't wait for 2016 to get here. So far this year has been much better for us.

 

[GraciesMom]

Aw so sorry hope it's recovered quickly & things get better

 

[Kiwibird]

April, I am so sorry! Thieves make me so furious, stealing from hard working people.
You guys have certainly had your fair share of bad things to happen this year, I am just so sorry.
I am hoping it was just taken for a joyride and is found soon with no damage.

We're hoping joyriding kids too who just dumped it somewhere nearby in still drivable condition... It may be a crappy car but it runs ok and we kind of sort of, you know, NEED IT BACK!!! I just don't know what's up with this year. Very challenging year for some reason. I'm starting to feel like I need to wear some kind of amulet or something because the thought is scary with what has already happened what else might be in store for us

 

[Terry57]

I hope your streak of bad luck is over now and that things only get better. Someone broke into my husband's truck last month and stole all his tools he has to use for work. These lowlifes just make me so mad.

 

[Taw5106]

April, unfortunately, it happens. I'm loving the lock Stephen ( Anansi) shared. My lock picker has v
Been stopped. No I'm watching her to see her "work around".

Let me know if there are any additional runs to produce.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BeatriceC]

Hugs. That stinks. Just FYI, older civics are actually worth more than most people think. They are in demand to convert to racers, especially if they have a manual transmission. Two years ago I sold my 1999 civic with 360,000 miles on it, substantial body damage, starter system overridden partially (wire bridging battery and starter solenoid, run into car and wrapped around gear shift, put key in on position, touch wire ends together to start) manual safety switch overridden, wire spliced into radiator wire to jam into battery lead to run radiator fan, nearly dead clutch (original to the car), and a cracked head gasket (what finally led me to unload the car) for $1500.00. There were other, smaller things wrong as well, but those were just the big things. I was going to get rid of it anyway because my youngest kid users a wheelchair and he got too big for me to transfer in and out of the car, but the head gasket going pushed up my timeline.

 

[Kiwibird]

I hope your streak of bad luck is over now and that things only get better. Someone broke into my husband's truck last month and stole all his tools he has to use for work. These lowlifes just make me so mad.

I'm so sorry to hear that Terry. We use the civic, but it was not 100% essential to daily life and we shared a car for quite a few years. Having your tools you use as part of your employment stolen is beyond terrible. I hope your hubby gets them back. Tools are expensive.

 

[Kiwibird]

Hugs. That stinks. Just FYI, older civics are actually worth more than most people think. They are in demand to convert to racers, especially if they have a manual transmission. Two years ago I sold my 1999 civic with 360,000 miles on it, substantial body damage, starter system overridden partially (wire bridging battery and starter solenoid, run into car and wrapped around gear shift, put key in on position, touch wire ends together to start) manual safety switch overridden, wire spliced into radiator wire to jam into battery lead to run radiator fan, nearly dead clutch (original to the car), and a cracked head gasket (what finally led me to unload the car) for $1500.00. There were other, smaller things wrong as well, but those were just the big things. I was going to get rid of it anyway because my youngest kid users a wheelchair and he got too big for me to transfer in and out of the car, but the head gasket going pushed up my timeline.

I have heard hondas are known for being stolen, but I had no idea anyone would want a 20 year old beater honda sedan that needed to be jumped at least twice a month. There are a few newer sportier Honda's always on the street parked too.

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh no April! I'm very sorry to hear of this! That is terrible. It makes me angry to hear of people stealing the property of others. It's scary how it can happen anywhere nowadays.

This neighborhood (I grew up here) is still good, but we've had suspicious activity around the house lately too, and it really scares me. It never used to be like this when my parents had the house.

That's awful that you've just moved there, and now this already . I really hope there is something that can be done to get your car back, and that nothing else happens!

 

[Terry57]

I'm so sorry to hear that Terry. We use the civic, but it was not 100% essential to daily life and we shared a car for quite a few years. Having your tools you use as part of your employment stolen is beyond terrible. I hope your hubby gets them back. Tools are expensive.

Thank you for your kind thoughts, April, especially with what you are currently going through. Unfortunately, the police do not think we will ever get them back and we have started replacing them a little at a time. Thankfully he had men he works with who had some extras so he could at least go to work.
And losing your car, especially an older one that insurance won't cover, is a brutal loss, and a violation. I am so hoping that you receive a call tomorrow that they have found it and it is fine. Hopefully they parked somewhere and then it wouldn't start again for them, and no one has noticed it being out of place in a neighbourhood yet. Sending you all the best wishes in the world for a good outcome.

 

[Blancaej]

April, I am so sorry this happened to you! Also sorry to hear it hasn't been a good year for you. I've been away too much! I do hope the rest of this year goes smoothly for you. Hugs!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Allee]

April, I am so sorry! I hope they find your car and return it unharmed. It's amazing how bold criminals have become. My son and DIL have a mobile grooming van, over the past year they have had three expensive generators stolen, they pay to park the van in a secured parking lot when they aren't driving it, several weeks ago someone used a crowbar to break in while the van was in the lot. They didn't take anything but the damage to the door was pretty pricy to repair. It's infuriating to have property stolen or destroyed. You've had more than your share of hardship for this year.

 

[BeatriceC]

Hugs. That stinks. Just FYI, older civics are actually worth more than most people think. They are in demand to convert to racers, especially if they have a manual transmission. Two years ago I sold my 1999 civic with 360,000 miles on it, substantial body damage, starter system overridden partially (wire bridging battery and starter solenoid, run into car and wrapped around gear shift, put key in on position, touch wire ends together to start) manual safety switch overridden, wire spliced into radiator wire to jam into battery lead to run radiator fan, nearly dead clutch (original to the car), and a cracked head gasket (what finally led me to unload the car) for $1500.00. There were other, smaller things wrong as well, but those were just the big things. I was going to get rid of it anyway because my youngest kid users a wheelchair and he got too big for me to transfer in and out of the car, but the head gasket going pushed up my timeline.

I have heard hondas are known for being stolen, but I had no idea anyone would want a 20 year old beater honda sedan that needed to be jumped at least twice a month. There are a few newer sportier Honda's always on the street parked too.

Some of the older ones from the mid to late 90's are actually in pretty high demand for rebuilding as street race cars. Mine actually got sort of stolen a few years before I sold it. The thief only got it a few feet before he bailed. He told the cops he didn't realize it was a stick and couldn't drive it away fast enough to not get caught. Unlucky for him, I was coming out of the store at that moment and the huge, NFL body type guy walking out behind me realized quickly what was going on and tackled him and held him down until the cops arrived.

And getting a car stolen just sucks. For me there was a sense of violation that was had to get over.

 

[Scott]

I'm so sorry to hear this, April. Hope your car is found undamaged and quickly returned. Stealing a person's transportation is horribly disrespectful and invasive. What a terrible "welcome" to Portland. With some luck and possibly good police work you will soon be reunited. I too have heard various Honda's are worth far more for parts, but hopefully this is not the issue.

 

[plumsmum2005]

@ Kiwibird So sorry for this bad news, who needs it? Probably taken because it is 20 yrs old and easier than the later models with different and improved locking systems.

Hoping you get your car back OK, have you tried riding round the area to go look, someone knew it was there, tucked out of the way. On my first car I always put on an additional lock - steering wheel/clutch or gear stick.

Have you asked any neighbours if they are aware and did they see anything?

PS Terry, so sorry also re your hubby's tools, what a bummer!

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

So sorry this happened yo you...hope you get it back safe and in running order soon...sadly crime is everywhere and its not safe to leave anything unattended anywhere anymore

 

[Kiwibird]

Some of the older ones from the mid to late 90's are actually in pretty high demand for rebuilding as street race cars. Mine actually got sort of stolen a few years before I sold it. The thief only got it a few feet before he bailed. He told the cops he didn't realize it was a stick and couldn't drive it away fast enough to not get caught. Unlucky for him, I was coming out of the store at that moment and the huge, NFL body type guy walking out behind me realized quickly what was going on and tackled him and held him down until the cops arrived.

And getting a car stolen just sucks. For me there was a sense of violation that was had to get over.

Best of luck to them then trying to race that thing! It's a 4 cylinder automatic and a 4 door sedan style. I don't know what they'd possibly do to it, I don't think any amount of 'suping it up' would make it suitable for street racing. It was barely suitable for normal highway driving. Getting it up much past 65 was always 'iffy'. We had put off buying a new battery for it because of the move (planning to replace it next month actually) and had only been driving it once or twice a week for now just to keep it running until we got the new battery. That battery was so bad, we were only driving around the block and no where out of walking distance home to get the other car to jump it if need be. It was pretty low on gas too. I hope the POS who took it stops to get gas and can't turn it back over because of the bad battery:51:!

 

[BeatriceC]

Completely gut it and put a new engine and transmission in it. It's the body and maneuverability that makes them in high demand. The other reason is that they're practically bullet proof and fairly easy to repair, so they're popular to fix up and send over the border. I was shocked how much I got for mine when I sold it. I had no idea how much a non-running, beat up, 14 year old Civic would get. I was hoping just to get 400-500 bucks out of it and got triple that.

I really do hope you get it back. I loved my old civic. I would have repaired it and kept driving it if I didn't really need a wheelchair accessible van. Those things are great cars.