My stolen car
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The last four days have been hell. On Wednesday evening, I went to the parking lot to drive home and discovered someone had stolen my green Olds Alero
I remembered locking my car door that morning, but must have dropped or lost my keys, because they weren't in my purse later.
I called the police, and couldn't help crying when they arrived, and told them I didn't know what I was going to do, that I couldn't afford to buy another car right now. They were very sympathetic, and said they'd do the best they could to try and find it and get it back.
My friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, and were sending up prayers and positive thoughts that it could be found soon. I have insurance of course, but only liability, so would have to pay for a rental car out of pocket.
Four anxious and agonizing days went by, I felt so helpless, and I didn't know what was happening with my car, or where it was... or if it was at a chop shop. Even though it's almost 20 years old, it's still in good condition and drives well, and it's paid for of course.
After crying myself to sleep last night, I finally got a call this morning from the police that they had found my car. The thief was in a panic because she had run out of gas..... A policeman happened to drive by, and questioned her, and realized it was a stolen car when he checked the Vehicle Identification number and she had no license or registration.
Had to laugh because my old car has a lot of quirks that no one but me would know about.... like the gas gauge. Anytime the tank goes below half a tank, the needle always goes UP instead of down, lol... so if you're down to 1/4 of a tank, it will show as 3/4 full.... I was down to 1/4 of a tank at the time it was stolen, so the thief didn't think they needed to fill up! I'm so glad I never had the needle fixed... it got my car back for me! (It also has another quirk where the starter won't turn the engine over sometimes, and it appears dead... but that's just a lock in the vacuum hose, and I know to just tap the break 4 times and that seems to release the seal.... And also the "Engine Trouble - Consult Mechanic" light has been on for 6 years, but is just a bulb problem, lol)
What really made me laugh is that the policeman said "When we caught her, she was wearing your clothes, that you must have had in the back." I just laughed and "Oh no, those weren't mine...... they belonged to a 92 year old lady that I used to take care of, when her daughter needed a night out or something..... after she passed away her daughter asked if I could take this box of clothes to the Salvation Army." We laughed outloud for the longest time that the thief was wearing a 92 year old lady's stretchy pants
who had had incontinence trouble before she died (they were washed of course before donating to Salvation Army, lol)Anyway, I should get my car back in a few days... it was towed to a police lot that's open tomorrow, and then will have a mechanic look at it after that and make any repairs.
Just felt led to share this story, and hope it can help someone else to know that no matter what kind of an awful experience you may be going through, I believe you always have a guardian angel or angels looking after you, that can help you get through and survive anything! There's always light at the end of the tunnel..... If I hadn't found my car, maybe I would have been led to a better one. Anyway, just have to continue to trust in the power of the Universe that all will be well.
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LadyLeslie wrote:
The last four days have been hell. On Wednesday evening, I went to the parking lot to drive home and discovered someone had stolen my green Olds Alero
I remembered locking my car door that morning, but must have dropped or lost my keys, because they weren't in my purse later.
I called the police, and couldn't help crying when they arrived, and told them I didn't know what I was going to do, that I couldn't afford to buy another car right now. They were very sympathetic, and said they'd do the best they could to try and find it and get it back.
My friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, and were sending up prayers and positive thoughts that it could be found soon. I have insurance of course, but only liability, so would have to pay for a rental car out of pocket.
Four anxious and agonizing days went by, I felt so helpless, and I didn't know what was happening with my car, or where it was... or if it was at a chop shop. Even though it's almost 20 years old, it's still in good condition and drives well, and it's paid for of course.
After crying myself to sleep last night, I finally got a call this morning from the police that they had found my car. The thief was in a panic because she had run out of gas..... A policeman happened to drive by, and questioned her, and realized it was a stolen car when he checked the Vehicle Identification number and she had no license or registration.
Had to laugh because my old car has a lot of quirks that no one but me would know about.... like the gas gauge. Anytime the tank goes below half a tank, the needle always goes UP instead of down, lol... so if you're down to 1/4 of a tank, it will show as 3/4 full.... I was down to 1/4 of a tank at the time it was stolen, so the thief didn't think they needed to fill up! I'm so glad I never had the needle fixed... it got my car back for me! (It also has another quirk where the starter won't turn the engine over sometimes, and it appears dead... but that's just a lock in the vacuum hose, and I know to just tap the break 4 times and that seems to release the seal.... And also the "Engine Trouble - Consult Mechanic" light has been on for 6 years, but is just a bulb problem, lol)
What really made me laugh is that the policeman said "When we caught her, she was wearing your clothes, that you must have had in the back." I just laughed and "Oh no, those weren't mine...... they belonged to a 92 year old lady that I used to take care of, when her daughter needed a night out or something..... after she passed away her daughter asked if I could take this box of clothes to the Salvation Army." We laughed outloud for the longest time that the thief was wearing a 92 year old lady's stretchy pants
who had had incontinence trouble before she died (they were washed of course before donating to Salvation Army, lol)Anyway, I should get my car back in a few days... it was towed to a police lot that's open tomorrow, and then will have a mechanic look at it after that and make any repairs.
Just felt led to share this story, and hope it can help someone else to know that no matter what kind of an awful experience you may be going through, I believe you always have a guardian angel or angels looking after you, that can help you get through and survive anything! There's always light at the end of the tunnel..... If I hadn't found my car, maybe I would have been led to a better one. Anyway, just have to continue to trust in the power of the Universe that all will be well.
Thank goodness this had a happy ending!!! I believe in angels too. jl4761 showed up in the nick of time, during the worst time of my life, and he helped me find my way out of a maze of bullying at my job. No one knew what to do to help. It was a miracle I had survived it all for so long. He worked a true miracle and was my guardian angel, and walked me thru the maze, out to freedom!!! He was definitely sent by angels at the perfect timing.
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love2travel wrote:
LadyLeslie wrote:
The last four days have been hell. On Wednesday evening, I went to the parking lot to drive home and discovered someone had stolen my green Olds Alero
I remembered locking my car door that morning, but must have dropped or lost my keys, because they weren't in my purse later.
I called the police, and couldn't help crying when they arrived, and told them I didn't know what I was going to do, that I couldn't afford to buy another car right now. They were very sympathetic, and said they'd do the best they could to try and find it and get it back.
My friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, and were sending up prayers and positive thoughts that it could be found soon. I have insurance of course, but only liability, so would have to pay for a rental car out of pocket.
Four anxious and agonizing days went by, I felt so helpless, and I didn't know what was happening with my car, or where it was... or if it was at a chop shop. Even though it's almost 20 years old, it's still in good condition and drives well, and it's paid for of course.
After crying myself to sleep last night, I finally got a call this morning from the police that they had found my car. The thief was in a panic because she had run out of gas..... A policeman happened to drive by, and questioned her, and realized it was a stolen car when he checked the Vehicle Identification number and she had no license or registration.
Had to laugh because my old car has a lot of quirks that no one but me would know about.... like the gas gauge. Anytime the tank goes below half a tank, the needle always goes UP instead of down, lol... so if you're down to 1/4 of a tank, it will show as 3/4 full.... I was down to 1/4 of a tank at the time it was stolen, so the thief didn't think they needed to fill up! I'm so glad I never had the needle fixed... it got my car back for me! (It also has another quirk where the starter won't turn the engine over sometimes, and it appears dead... but that's just a lock in the vacuum hose, and I know to just tap the break 4 times and that seems to release the seal.... And also the "Engine Trouble - Consult Mechanic" light has been on for 6 years, but is just a bulb problem, lol)
What really made me laugh is that the policeman said "When we caught her, she was wearing your clothes, that you must have had in the back." I just laughed and "Oh no, those weren't mine...... they belonged to a 92 year old lady that I used to take care of, when her daughter needed a night out or something..... after she passed away her daughter asked if I could take this box of clothes to the Salvation Army." We laughed outloud for the longest time that the thief was wearing a 92 year old lady's stretchy pants
who had had incontinence trouble before she died (they were washed of course before donating to Salvation Army, lol)Anyway, I should get my car back in a few days... it was towed to a police lot that's open tomorrow, and then will have a mechanic look at it after that and make any repairs.
Just felt led to share this story, and hope it can help someone else to know that no matter what kind of an awful experience you may be going through, I believe you always have a guardian angel or angels looking after you, that can help you get through and survive anything! There's always light at the end of the tunnel..... If I hadn't found my car, maybe I would have been led to a better one. Anyway, just have to continue to trust in the power of the Universe that all will be well.
Thank goodness this had a happy ending!!! I believe in angels too. jl4761 showed up in the nick of time, during the worst time of my life, and he helped me find my way out of a maze of bullying at my job. No one knew what to do to help. It was a miracle I had survived it all for so long. He worked a true miracle and was my guardian angel, and walked me thru the maze, out to freedom!!! He was definitely sent by angels at the perfect timing.
Thanks, love2travel!
Sounds like you have a beautiful story too! I'm so glad things worked out better for you in your work situation, that you were able to get out of that, and that you've found happiness. Sometimes in our frustration we can't see the way clear until someone is sent to help show the way -
Leslie has been keeping me updated on the car situation since the beginning, and so glad it had a happy ending!
I’m just wondering now what kind of jail time the woman will get. Keep us posted!
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Nancy R wrote:
Leslie has been keeping me updated on the car situation since the beginning, and so glad it had a happy ending!
I’m just wondering now what kind of jail time the woman will get. Keep us posted!
Will do, Nancy! The police officer told me she'll probably get 5 years just for violating municipal code, for possession of a stolen vehicle, and an additional 5 for stealing. If she had gone over the state line into Kansas and she was found there, she would have gotten 10 more years, because that's a federal offense... transporting stolen property over state lines. Just glad the nightmare is over!
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Hi LadyLeslie! How are you? I am so happy that your situation had a happy ending!
Let me tell you a story, its a true one too. My Dad owned a Blue 1978 Datsun B-210 GX and always took care of it except the brakes. The first time my Dad's Datsun was stolen, it was late at night! The thieves didn't get very far seeing that they only drove three blocks. When the idiots realized after speeding fast in the car that it wasn't going to stop due top bad brakes, the idiots stopped the car the best they could which was in the middle of the intersection. With the car still running, the idiots abandoned the car and even left the doors open! I bet that experience scared the living sh*t out of them so bad that they were traumatized! My Dad got his car back.
2 years later, someone decided to steal my Dad's Datsun AGAIN and it was the same result except this time the Datsun was found in a store due to someone driving the car in the store. This all happened because there were no brakes in the car. My Dad got his car back, AGAIN, and still never fixed the brakes!
The Datsun was never stolen again, my Dad even the left the window down in his Datsun just to see if someone would try stealing it again. Instead, the idiots stole the car that was parked next to my Dad!
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jl4761 wrote:
Hi LadyLeslie! How are you? I am so happy that your situation had a happy ending!
Let me tell you a story, its a true one too. My Dad owned a Blue 1978 Datsun B-210 GX and always took care of it except the brakes. The first time my Dad's Datsun was stolen, it was late at night! The thieves didn't get very far seeing that they only drove three blocks. When the idiots realized after speeding fast in the car that it wasn't going to stop due top bad brakes, the idiots stopped the car the best they could which was in the middle of the intersection. With the car still running, the idiots abandoned the car and even left the doors open! I bet that experience scared the living sh*t out of them so bad that they were traumatized! My Dad got his car back.
2 years later, someone decided to steal my Dad's Datsun AGAIN and it was the same result except this time the Datsun was found in a store due to someone driving the car in the store. This all happened because there were no brakes in the car. My Dad got his car back, AGAIN, and still never fixed the brakes!
The Datsun was never stolen again, my Dad even the left the window down in his Datsun just to see if someone would try stealing it again. Instead, the idiots stole the car that was parked next to my Dad!
What did your dad do, just never drive the car? Did he just keep it like a collectible?
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Glad things turned out well for you LadyLeslie.
Years ago ... I parked in a structure with many many floors. I looked at a picture on the wall of musical instruments on a background. So I noted that I parked in a space that had a cello and a blue background. And noted that it was G4 for example. (Plenty of information). I walked across to an exit door and walked down the stairs. When I returned I walked up the same amount of starirs... went to the cello with the blue background and my car was GONE!!! I walked a little further each way - just in case it was further down. The instruments changed to drums and the color to something way different like yellow or red. So I am walking around saying I can't believe this!!! I would have to make a report out and figure out how to get home and who to call. After checking and rechecking I went up a ramp and there was my car!! Aw crud I felt like an idiot or the_fool. Glad I didn't report it. What I did was walk down a ramp to go to the exit not thinking that I was one level lower now. So climbing up the stairs I arrived on another level. They painted every two sets of floors the same. My problem was solved quickly, but I know that feeling of the car being gone. It wasn't really that nice of a car and I looked a little longer and discoved that, because there were so many choices better than mine.
Also glad that your car wasn't messed up. I knew a few people who didn't really want their car back after things got broken or ripped up, but had to go through the whole insurance thing and knowing it was torn up just for specific things like the radio (at that time) or the steering wheel (because of air bags) and the tires and rims. They didn't care how torn up it was - just the quick parts and leave it whereever. And the catalytic converter for some quick cash at that time.
* I did have another car catch fire and had the fire department put it out. That one was totaled. I was bummed out at the time... in that case after all the insurance interview and police interview (I asked if I was a suspect after all their questions and they said that if I was I would know that for sure - likely I would have been treated differently) , fire department report etc.... That turned out better than I thought. I got paid it's blue book value and ended up getting something a little newer and little better. There was a small gap of time that I had to get a ride from someone and go through the bummer and inconvienience of no car and the insurance reports etc.
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jl4761 wrote:
Hi LadyLeslie! How are you? I am so happy that your situation had a happy ending!
Let me tell you a story, its a true one too. My Dad owned a Blue 1978 Datsun B-210 GX and always took care of it except the brakes. The first time my Dad's Datsun was stolen, it was late at night! The thieves didn't get very far seeing that they only drove three blocks. When the idiots realized after speeding fast in the car that it wasn't going to stop due top bad brakes, the idiots stopped the car the best they could which was in the middle of the intersection. With the car still running, the idiots abandoned the car and even left the doors open! I bet that experience scared the living sh*t out of them so bad that they were traumatized! My Dad got his car back.
2 years later, someone decided to steal my Dad's Datsun AGAIN and it was the same result except this time the Datsun was found in a store due to someone driving the car in the store. This all happened because there were no brakes in the car. My Dad got his car back, AGAIN, and still never fixed the brakes!
The Datsun was never stolen again, my Dad even the left the window down in his Datsun just to see if someone would try stealing it again. Instead, the idiots stole the car that was parked next to my Dad!
Thanks for your post, jl4761, I'm glad the situation had a happy ending too!
That is such a great story! Sounds like your Dad instinctively knew not to fix the brakes, and was one smart cookie.
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The_Fool wrote:
Glad things turned out well for you LadyLeslie.
Years ago ... I parked in a structure with many many floors. I looked at a picture on the wall of musical instruments on a background. So I noted that I parked in a space that had a cello and a blue background. And noted that it was G4 for example. (Plenty of information). I walked across to an exit door and walked down the stairs. When I returned I walked up the same amount of starirs... went to the cello with the blue background and my car was GONE!!! I walked a little further each way - just in case it was further down. The instruments changed to drums and the color to something way different like yellow or red. So I am walking around saying I can't believe this!!! I would have to make a report out and figure out how to get home and who to call. After checking and rechecking I went up a ramp and there was my car!! Aw crud I felt like an idiot or the_fool. Glad I didn't report it. What I did was walk down a ramp to go to the exit not thinking that I was one level lower now. So climbing up the stairs I arrived on another level. They painted every two sets of floors the same. My problem was solved quickly, but I know that feeling of the car being gone. It wasn't really that nice of a car and I looked a little longer and discoved that, because there were so many choices better than mine.
Also glad that your car wasn't messed up. I knew a few people who didn't really want their car back after things got broken or ripped up, but had to go through the whole insurance thing and knowing it was torn up just for specific things like the radio (at that time) or the steering wheel (because of air bags) and the tires and rims. They didn't care how torn up it was - just the quick parts and leave it whereever. And the catalytic converter for some quick cash at that time.
* I did have another car catch fire and had the fire department put it out. That one was totaled. I was bummed out at the time... in that case after all the insurance interview and police interview (I asked if I was a suspect after all their questions and they said that if I was I would know that for sure - likely I would have been treated differently) , fire department report etc.... That turned out better than I thought. I got paid it's blue book value and ended up getting something a little newer and little better. There was a small gap of time that I had to get a ride from someone and go through the bummer and inconvienience of no car and the insurance reports etc.
Thanks for sharing your story of the multi-level parking garage, that is always scary when we can't find our cars, especially after making a point of parking by a landmark we'll recognize! That parking garage sounds interesting with the painted musical instruments that marked each level.
That must have been very devastating to lose the other car to a fire, but glad you weren't harmed. Sounds like you got a much better car in the long run, but it is frustrating when you lose your independence and have to get rides from someone when you're without a car. But true friends wouldn't mind helping I think
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One day, not unlike a fine misty morning when the birds were singing themselves awake and the flowers were giving a little wink and a nod to some neighborhood bees to come up and see them sometime, I went out to the parking lot and stopped dead in my tracks.
There were plenty of cars in every shape, size, religious denomination and color. There were cars for the serious business man who went to his serious office every day and made serious decisions. There were cars for the mothers with too many responsibilities and not enough arms in the day. There were cars for the teenagers who just wanted a little independence, and maybe to get laid once in a while.
But my car was nowhere to be found.
I looked high. I looked low. I looked everywhere I went in the heart of whatever country I was in at the time. Who remembers anymore.
A sudden panic set in, or something far less dramatic but no less unexpected. I'm doing relatively well for myself. I got to pay taxes in three different countries this year. But I am no one's idea of rich. When my toaster oven broke, I did not bother to replace it. An automobile is a major investment for someone like me. And even for many unlike me.
I like to walk. I love to run. I doubt I'll be in a marathon any time soon, but I can jog around the parks and pancake houses for hours. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, we need to rely on motorized transportation. You can't walk everywhere. I've been to Los Angeles.
Deep in the belly of this unpolished parking lot, I considered my options. Was this one of those life decisions that could alter every other moment yet to come? Some day, and for more days than I can possibly imagine, for many days untold, will this be the decision I remember from the past that created my future?
Then it occurred to me that I have never owned a car in my life. I meant to go to the park, not parking lot. Oops.
