Need suggestions/ideas to catch a ransack-er

[Dion]

Get a pitbull and have the dog sleep in your vehicle at night.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by polak

You can't booby trap your car. Lawsuit waiting to happen.

Gee, the bear trap suggestion isn't a good idea? Who knew?

Side note with trail cams; how do you plan on placing them without them getting stolen. Because that happens a lot. Then you get a nice little sticky note where the trail cam was with a pithy little phrase, like "Nice try, ***hole."

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration

In the Millrise area sw

Calgary police website has 41 reported Thefts from Vehicles in the last 6 months for what it is worth. 9 Vehicle Thefts.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I have to say, though, there have been issues with people robbing vehicles in my parkade before. Presumably following people down the ramp and then looting cars. I'm a bit worried about my Z, given that it's got a car cover on it for the winter, that that is just a big "come rob me" sign.

[getbak]

I know it won't give you the "ha ha, I caught you" satisfaction, but your best and most effective strategy is to be compulsive about locking your doors, even if it means double-checking every door is locked every time you park it. Also, don't leave anything of value visible from outside the vehicle, so they don't have any incentive to smash the window.

The problem with trying to catch them in the act, is that even if you get a video of it, what are the chances you'll be able to find the person responsible? If you do catch them, what kind of punishment are they going to get?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by polak

You can't booby trap your car. Lawsuit waiting to happen.

Dean men can't file lawsuits.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Dean men can't file lawsuits.

"Estate of Stealy McRobberson v. MrMastadonFarm" coming soon to a Queen's Bench courtroom near you!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

"Estate of Stealy McRobberson v. MrMastadonFarm" coming soon to a Queen's Bench courtroom near you!

That's why you booby trap someone else's car.

Also, if you're going to beat the crap out of them, wait until they're a couple of houses away from yours before doing it (while wearing a mask and using a brand new baseball bat you bought for cash and never touched with your bare hands).

[V]

You could also not leave valuable stuff in your cars. They'll figure it out pretty quick that it isn't worth it.

I used to live in a bad area for this, and I always left my doors unlocked, with a sign saying I had no valuables. It didn't take long for them to realize I had nothing for them, and they didn't bother me anymore.

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

I honestly believe it's punks doing this,
I don't think there risking smashing windows as their have been no reports on our neighbourhood of that.
I think they check for unlocked vehicles and grab whatever they find.
Reason I believe it's just punks is because the first time it was my cds and safety glasses
When it was my wife's vehicle (now parked in the garage) they took nothing as she had no valuables
The 3rd time around I had a power inverter in the back (100 value) that was moved around, jackets that weren't touched, safety glasses thrown outside. I think there just roaming at night time checking to see which doors are unlocked.

I set a alarm on my phone to go off at 8 every damn day to remind myself to lock my doors.

I was thinking of setting up a spy camera somewhere that goes off with motion but all the ones on Amazon seem junk.
I would really like get these thieves on video but in the meantime I'll just make damn sure my truck is locked every single time and leave it pretty much empty inside

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration

just make damn sure my truck is locked every single time and leave it pretty much empty inside

Likely the best solution.

As a side note, I'd not leave your garage door opener (if you have) in the car. There's the odd ring going around that takes spare change/small items to make people think that's all they were doing. They also take the garage door opener and come back a few nights later.

This doesn't sound like the same thing, but good info for anyone.

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Likely the best solution.

As a side note, I'd not leave your garage door opener (if you have) in the car. There's the odd ring going around that takes spare change/small items to make people think that's all they were doing. They also take the garage door opener and come back a few nights later.

This doesn't sound like the same thing, but good info for anyone.

Good info indeed, garage door openers are both in vehicles parked in the garage. I've heard about that happening though...

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Calgary police website has 41 reported Thefts from Vehicles in the last 6 months for what it is worth. 9 Vehicle Thefts.

Do people usually report this kind of thing? It's happened to us twice and we haven't bothered to report it. Value of items taken was low to worthless and it didn't seem worth filing a report for a ransacking. (West Central area)

[Northendzone]

Perhaps you need to develop a routine when you exit your vehicle that way you will automatically lock the door, once the routine becomes a habit.

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

I reported it just so the police have it on file and for their tracking purposes. I don't expect any investigating to be done but At least it's been reported and filed for their records

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Perhaps you need to develop a routine when you exit your vehicle that way you will automatically lock the door, once the routine becomes a habit.

99% of the time I do, last night I brought my son in and ran back out to grab some other stuff, came in and changed a diaper and must of slipped my mind.
Alarm is set daily now as a reminder

[DoubleF]

My dad's car got ransacked earlier this spring. To this day, we have no idea what was taken.

I used to remember cars would lock themselves and arm the car alarm after like 10-15 minutes of being off and no key in the ignition. What happened?

[polak]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Gee, the bear trap suggestion isn't a good idea? Who knew?

You'd be surprised at how few people realize that thieves and trespassers are protected under law from things like booby traps and excessive force.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Do people usually report this kind of thing? It's happened to us twice and we haven't bothered to report it. Value of items taken was low to worthless and it didn't seem worth filing a report for a ransacking. (West Central area)

It is important to report this type of crime. While the chances of getting you stuff back is slim to none, it helps the CPS know where crimes is more prevalent. This will aid in their approach to policing.

[D as in David]

Since it sounds like this is happening frequently, could you pull an all-nighter (or two) to keep watch? Maybe enlist some neighbours to share the duties?

With a young child, it's not like you're sleeping anyway, right?