One team, over 1000 cars
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 15 years
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I've seen a few people mention in these threads their belief that GPS receivers have become so inexpensive that "nobody bothers to steal them anymore". This imagined "fact" is often offered to explain why they don't take a few seconds to remove it from the windshield, or even why they do and then "cleverly hide it" rather than taking it with them.
So I just wanted to share with the group that a team of 3 guys was caught breaking into cars in my city recently, and they themselves claim that they have broken into over 1000 cars in the last six month to steal whatever they could. The TV news report showed a flash of a police inventory report that included a number of GPS receivers, although I'm sure that is only the receivers that these guys had not yet managed to sell.
Just thought that I would mention this to the group in case anyone had seen the claims that GPS receivers were now so cheap that no one steals them and actually believed it.
Stolen
My wife's 765T was stolen (among other things) from her car about 8 months ago, it was inside the center console, the mount/plug/cable was under the driver's seat out of sight, they found and took that too.
DriveLuxe 50, 2460LMT, 680 x 2, 3597LMTHD & 765T stolen
they wouldn't leave it behind...
Of course thieves would take a GPSr from a car they broke into, the question is whether the GPS is reason enough by itself for the thieves to select a particular target. That was certainly true in the past, but with the lower costs and higher availability of GPSr's, is it still the case? Or is the GPS just icing on the cake when they're stealing an aftermarket stereo or some other, higher value item?
Yes
The GPSr was the highest value item stolen. There was nothing of any value visible, aftermarket Alpine stereo remained intact (guess they didn't want to take the time to yank it out). Only sign of possible GPSr was the black disc mounted on dash. It's pretty obvious they only wanted easily removed portable items.
DriveLuxe 50, 2460LMT, 680 x 2, 3597LMTHD & 765T stolen
I've seen cars broken into
I've seen cars broken into and only $20-30 worth of CDs taken. $200+ damage to window to get cheap stuff and loose change in the cup-holder.
I don't really think most car break-ins are done by organized gangs, and that probably generates the most publicity. More likely to be kids & vandals looking for anything to bust up. Once they are in the car, expect anything loose to get taken, no matter the value.
I never get lost, but I do explore new territory every now and then.
We took a trip to the UK and
We took a trip to the UK and rented a vehicle, the first day we were there I got a parking ticket and on the second day they broke into the car and took the manual, the GPS and a pork pie in the trunk. The car was parked in the hotel parking lot and the manager told me it was the first time this happened in 22 years. Not the happiest vacation, but it is one to remember.
Hawkslayer...