Vandals

[syncere]

Though leaving things out in the semi open in your car is a bad thing that I don't see that being entirely the car owners fault. These guys now use spark plugs to shatter windows cause if they know how to do it right it will not set off a basic alarm. Everyone has something worth value that these thieves can take. Not only that I made a stupid mistake by accidently leaving my car unlocked literally in front of my apt. on the 1st floor and I guess someone had been watching me take groceries out from earlier and saw I did not lock it. Next morning get in my car and things are thrown everywhere cause they were looking for something (nothing to be found though). Just goes to show that there are some very sneaky criminals out there.

[allan]

I have a theory about these guys and their specific niche in society. I don't think they have an easy time of it, nor do they live high on the hog. Pay outs are rare and the risk is relatively high should they get caught and sucessfully prosecuted. They never will aspire to much as a common thief so the reward isn't significant to remain in that line of work. So the primary reason I can think of for doing this would be drugs or an addiction of one kind or another.

Or the opportunistic thief (a lock will keep an honest man honest).

I'm real careful as to what I keep in my pov and when I do keep significant items in there I'm always carefull to remove anything from sight.

I had my apartment broken into and about 100 dollars worth of silver dollars (real silver dollars) stolen. I searched around town and found a conviniant store with an abundance of silver coins, which I promptly bought back. The clerk told me that her cousin had brought them in to exchange for folding money. I knew her cousin so I was able to exact retribution in a fitting manner. I didn't involve the police because the kid was about to join the military and I didn't want to do anything that would jeopordize that.

Bottom line is that it sucks, but it's a part of our society past present and most likely way into the future.

[sampsonndelila]

Good! All we need in the military is a few more thieves. Man I hate thieves; I know what you mean about the justice system as well. I wouldn’t have used it either. I hope you pistol whipped the kid in front of his parents! I think we would have a lot less tagging and petty theft if we as a community stood up and helped out. The police can do very little. But as a community we can call if something looks strange. Or put up more cameras. I love they caught those guys on camera. If you catch people breaking into stuff, shoot them! We are in Texas after all we should at least enjoy some of the liberties that allows us.

[vman181]

For those with vehicles that had their door locks punched in, Best Buy installers used to sell a kit that fit behind the handle and lock mechanism that prevented manual unlocking by that point of entry. The kit was simple but effective. Not sure if they still sell.

I had my locks punched in on the west side back in 06 when I was down there for 11 weeks of training. The woman at Best Buy told me about the steel plates for the locks. They didn't sell them but the Auto accessories place on the Westside of the street on San Pedro near 281/410 did. The Ford house I went to to get my lock cylinder fix sold them also. I can't tell you if they really work or not as I haven't had to find out yet.... That time they took everything out of my truck, Zippo lighter, half pack of smokes, half bottle of cologne, stereo, speakers, CD's, two knives, and even my owner’s manual. I used my renters insurance rather my truck insurance as the only thing they cover is things that are bolted to the car. Most renters and even home owners insurance will cover up to a certain amount off the property. They however won’t cover anything bolted down since then it's a part of the vehicle. Oh and I forgot to tell you this happened between the hours of 3:15pm and 530pm when I was in the movie theater. With security guards walking around the parking lot………. Go figure…..

My wife use to live off of Bulverde Blv near Evans Rd two years ago. One Friday night I left my truck unlock in the driveway. At six when I woke up I went to the truck and my stereo was missing. But everything else was there, that's all they took. I know it was only because I left the doors unlocked. If they were locked then they would have never gotten in as it was only I gave them the opportunity to take it.

I have also caught some kids doing a smash a grab on my old street back in 2001 up here in Abilene. I called the police and they sent like four cars to chase them down. They caught them and I ID’ed the kid and the driver and his car. I’m not sure what happened to them as my truck wasn’t hit.

I can’t stand these people, and I will do whatever I can to always stop it, that means I always park my truck in the garage.

[vman181]

Oh one more thing, those kits were called "Jimmy Jammers" and were easy to install myself.

[txav8r]

The place vman181 was refering to is called Auto Extras.

"Jimmy Jammers" work.

[chunkymonkey]

The place vman181 was refering to is called Auto Extras.

"Jimmy Jammers" work.

Pending on the point of entry, I always try to suggest further security measures, most call for the Jimmy Jammers

[txav8r]

Pending on the point of entry

Good point.