**cker broke into my car...

[darkscout]

So I'm in Nashville for a Rugby Tournament.

Since I came down by myself to watch my brother play and maybe pick up a game I didn't get a hotel room. I normally sleep in my car as it provides plenty of space with the rear seat folded down. I also have 2 tupperwear containers in the back and I toss some things in such that you really can't see I'm there. This started 'years' ago when I lived off campus and started drinking and well it worked out so well that I do it sober now too...

So I woke up this morning to my car rocking. Now typically it's just a gust of wind. Once it was a cop telling me I couldn't say there ("Sure officer, just let me drive home since I did the responsible thing in the first place").

Well about a second later the doors unlock. ***. Keys are laying next to me. I spring up forward and get out a hello before I come face to face with a large dude sitting in my front seat. He takes a look at me and jumps into his running car backed in next to mine and takes off. Had I not had to go back for my keys I would have followed him.

All in about 1 second he managed to get my radio faceplate, dent my dash, cracked my HVAC faceplate and I'm going to have to search the rest of the car but I may have been dumbass enough to leave my iPod in the center console. (Although it's not visible UNLESS YOU'RE SITTING IN MY CAR). Dumbass also didn't even grab my (empty) laptop case or ScanGauge sitting on the dash. ScanGauge is worth more than the radio was...

And I wasn't parking in some seedy part of town (to my knowledge). In a Hotel parking lot. Under full lights (this was at 6:30 AM, not early in the least bit). There goes my theory about having an undesirable Mk3.

Now I've broken into my car before, however I've never done it such that everything unlocked AND the alarm was disabled. Best I can figure is that he 'picked' the lock, but it's still in full working condition. There's no sign of a slim jim. And I'm pretty damn certain I locked it as that's the last thing I normally do.

Thanks Illinois for sane CCW laws!
Thanks Nashville!

[darkscout]

Ok. Guarantee he got my iPod. I had my radio remote in the console also along with a friend's business card. I found the radio remote in the passenger footwell and my friend's business card is gone. Must have just grabbed everything in one swoop. Damn these guys are fast.

This isn't exactly the ghetto:




Who breaks into this:


I'm hoping this comes out with a heat gun:


All 'clean'



I've done DC, Vegas, Myrtle Beach, then Nashville?!

Should have, could have, would have.

This $100 trip (fuel only) just turned into like $300+. 80 GB iPod (gift) gone, Faceplate for a radio that's no longer in production (gone). I doubt highly that these are just laying around. I'm sure crutchfield would be happy to sell me a new one.

[RuneTDI]

at least you're okay- physically. remember, it's all replaceable- you're not. c'mon, i slept in my car when i was 18 and drunk, too. pay the $30 next time for a bed, w/aaa. did you get the plate?

[whitedog]

It was probably Dr Boost.

[burpod]

Originally Posted by whitedog

It was probably Dr Boost.

ROFL HAHAHAHAHHA!!!!! he's gettin his vengeance!!

sucks darkscout! but worse things could have happened...

[Jetter_Sprinta]

As a frequent traveler, trust me--even the nicest hotel parking lots are not very safe. Lots of travelers leave electronics in full view in the car, and the criminal element is just waiting for it. I don't even leave the mount for my navi in the car. Even rentals.

Check for stains on your seat--you probably scared it out of him!

[tdidieselbobny]

Forum member is parting a 98 out in parts section-may have some things you need.That sucks-at least he didn't pull a gun or knife and ask for money or wallet....glad you are ok.

[codeblue]

its very easy to break into these cars... from what Ive been reading on the forums the best way to protect your A3 is swap your front driver door handle to a rear one to remove the lock cyl, and to weld a plate onto the lock actuator so theres no way to open the door with any kind of tool.

of course then they can break your glass....

and you will also need to figure out a way to open the locks if the battery in the car or in your remote dies. But im sure some of you can figure out a creative way...

[weedeater]

I thought these were pretty easy: a large screwdriver can force the lock. Course, I may be thinking of the A4.

[darkscout]

I'm thinking I was a dumbass and left it unlocked. There's no signs of forced entry... anywhere. If only if only I had dropped my iPod in between the seats where It normally finds itself.

Thinking within seconds of waking up is not particularly easy to do either. I couldn't even probably pick him out of a lineup much less his license plate number.

[rotarykid]

Scary story . I often pull over to nap on my trips across the US . Glad you are ok things could have been much worse .

Truck stops close to their front door like Flying J are where I often catch a few zzzzz . A few states have security constantly 24/7 at their rest areas so they're are a good place to stop .

[mittzlepick]

ok so whats with rugby players anyway? how about a friggin helmet? I cut my finger open and needed stiches and had to wait in line behind 50 rugby players from a tournament it looked like world war one ,heads all wrapped up and the women who play look like russian hockey players whew.

[whitedog]

Originally Posted by darkscout

Thinking within seconds of waking up is not particularly easy to do either. I couldn't even probably pick him out of a lineup much less his license plate number.

So no way to know if he was missing any fingers?

[40X40]

Glad you are safe!

Lesson learned:
Sleeping in cars in states with sane CCW laws can cost you. I prefer the barbaric states that allow honest people to arm themselves.

Bill

[ICNTDRV]

it was Doctor_Boost