Merry F'ing Christmas

[vakkotaur]

Around 1:40 AM Saturday morning two Arschlocher in a red Subaru (as shown in video, which sadly did not get a plate number, damnit) broke the front passenger side window of my car. They ripped out a GPS, an XM receiver, and a control head for an Icom 2820 dual band transceiver - and some of the mounting hardware for some of that.

This was all about speed, and not about knowing what was useful or how. No power cords or antennas were taken, though the radio's microphone was out in the open. They ripped the control cable for the radio head unit out (other connectors simply pulled out, this one had a snap-tab like a phone or network cable.) The XM receiver is useless without its antenna - and a subscription which no longer is going to that radio anyway. The radio control head is utterly useless without the radio itself - which was left. Only the GPS might be of any use stand-alone, but not as effective as it could be with the antenna. Also, it's been years since that GPS was updated. That was on my list of things to do, but I'm glad I hadn't spent the money for that yet now.

The Arschlocher failed to take the mounting stalk for the GPS, but did take the part that goes on the stalk. They also took part of a phone mount, but not the stalk for it. The downside, beyond the damage and loss itself, is that the GPS did have 'home' set, so it could be used as guide. I'll simply say that precautions are being taken, should the Arschlocher get the idea to try to break into the house.

I'll be calling a glass place in town when they open this morning about replacing the window. A "Christmas present" I shouldn't need to have has been ordered to replace the satellite radio receiver. I don't yet know if I can even get a replacement Icom 2820 control head or cable for it. It looks like my phone will do as a GPS, once I work out a new mounting arrangement. I didn't do that before as offline navigation, while it uses good maps, has lousy navigation algorithms. However, since ATT upped the data limit to "Unless you're streaming (lots of) video, don't worry about it." I can use an on-line app that seems to get the navigation right for the addresses I care about most - and the phone comes with me, by default.

I have my doubt these Arschlocher will be caught, but I would dearly love to hear of them spending Christmas in jail. Or in the morgue if they happen to get some meth (I suspect that's what this is about in the end) cut with stuff too nasty to use as rat poison. That would be most satisfying.

Comments

[malterre.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about this. I hope they are caught soon.

[pharwarner.livejournal.com]

So meaningless... As you say, the equipment ripped out is now mainly useless. I think you're right about them being meth addicts. I encountered one yesterday when I was walking to a cafe. Which I hardly ever do, as what happened next will show you why. The addict suddenly jumped up beside me onto the railing of a boardwalk. I thought "This is it, I've got to prepare to defend myself." He then jumped down onto the sand, it being a very low tide at the time. He screams up at me "I'm hunting for CRAAAAABS!" as he throws rocks aside in a futile attempt to... find crabs, I guess? I then went back to my museum and locked myself inside with my usual cup of instant coffee.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Having now seen the surveillance video, I'm not so sure it's that simple anymore. These guys knew some of what they were doing. They drove in from the south lot entrance, drove across the lot right to my car - ignoring many nicer, newer vehicles - and took maybe three minutes ripping stuff out. One guy might have been acting as a lookout. The video isn't clear due to distance and night lighting conditions. Then they left, continuing on their way, not going back the way they came. I've been told by a policeman that that was the only auto break-in of the night in town.

So, these guys knew where to find the car, had an idea something was in it, and when few people would be likely to be around. And then spent a minimal amount time not just committing the crime, but even in this town, I suspect. This makes this seem like a solo event (I doubt it, but finding any trend would require statewide data, over time, I fear.) But while they might be fairly good at the not-getting-caught part, they are idiots when it comes to taking things of use. I suppose it could be that I didn't have loose cables all over and had things neatly bundled and tie-wrapped - time consuming to take apart, and they went with "take whatever pulls loose, sort it out later."

No matter what the case, I still would love to hear of them spending Christmas in jail. Or in traction. Or... but, sadly, I suspect I'll never hear of a proper resolution of this.

[bronxelf-ag001.livejournal.com]

Well shit. That sucks. Im sorry. :(