Sunday, September 25, 2011

Finding Meaning and Peace After Being Robbed (My Car was broken into, again)

Fairfax County Motor Officer, circa late 40s. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Police Online.

On the morning of the 22nd of September, 2011, I got into my car to go to the gym before heading off to work and I noticed the interior was disheveled. One of my back seats was flipped down, revealing the trunk and the center console compartment was ransacked. Sometime during the wee hours of the night, a thief and/or thieves made off with my road-side emergency kit and get this, my window break hammer. 

This is not the first time my car has been a victim of theft. In June 2010, my car's back window was smashed and my work laptop was stolen.

http://bettysvintagemusings.blogspot.com/2010/06/rant.html

The fact this happened again makes me very mad. But unlike the first incident, I had a camera recording the whole thing. In the aftermath of having my car window destroyed, property taken, and having to wait two months to have my window replaced, my husband decided to take action by installing cameras in various locations on our home.

After realizing my car was indeed robbed, I went back inside my house and notified my husband. Then for an hour, he and I both scanned hours of overnight footage until we finally found the frames showing a young male (probably high school age) pulling up to the curb in a light-colored car with an unseen accomplice at 1:16 a.m. The kid i.e. "ASSHAT" is seen attempting to access to my husband's car (with no success) and then observed gaining entry to mine. (Like a total idiot, I left my car unlocked). This brat rummaged in my car for a few minutes before making off with my auto kit and car hammer. I mean, really, kid? You just *had* to steal a 10 dollar car hammer? You are either really stupid or just a loser so desperate to prove to your friends how "gangster" you are. Piece of shit.

Sorry about the language but I admit it. I am mad. What gets me is how stupid someone would have to be to risk getting caught, possibly getting charges pressed, and going before a judge over something as trivial as 10 bucks. Moreover, how can anyone (young or not) think it's okay and/or 'cool' to steal from people? Have they no conscience? When I was 5, I stole a piece of 5 cent "Bazooka Joe" bubble gum from the local 7-11. My dad heard me fiddling with the wrapper in the backseat of our 70s station wagon and he promptly drove me back to the store to pay the clerk and say I was sorry. I was bawling, shaking, and scared! I thought for sure I was going to jail! Even though it was just a bit of gum, I remember the guilt and shame I felt. With that said, how can people steal 'real things' can sleep peacefully at night?

Despite my surly mood and wanting to punch that kid, I took a deep breath and called the non-emergency number for the police. Within 20 minutes, an officer arrived. He took my statement, dusted and printed my car, and my husband made him a CD of the camera footage detailing the theft. Before the officer left, he asked if I wanted to press charges if the kid was caught, I said "Heck yes!" Even though the items that were taken do not add up to much, I want to make a point that actions have consequences.

In spite of my previous chagrin, I am okay now. No one was hurt, my car was not damaged, and nothing of major value was taken. I have done all I can with the police so the only thing now is to let it go and to be more diligent when it comes to locking my car!

9 comments:

  1. Thank God the blasted brat didn't get away with much! I would press charges too, especially if I had video evidence. (Smart thinking on you and Hubbys part.)
    We have had our vehicle broken into twice both times cd players and stereo equipment cleaned out. It is such a maddening feeling when other people take what is not theirs. The first time they broke the drivers side window... The second the sun roof. It gets expensive even paying the darn insurance deposit for getting things fixed.

    I figure if more people get caught the less thieves we will have running around this world.

    Sorry this had to happen to you and keep your cameras rolling! ;)

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  2. someone once stole my basket of dirty clothes out of my car. for many, it is the thrill of stealing, no matter what it is. What a bunch of low-life. Glad they didn't get anything of real value out of your car.

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  3. I can understand you being mad, and yes you are right actions have consequences and if he is cuaght charge him.
    I am however gald that you are unharmed and that you are attempting to move forward and letting your anger go.

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  4. Ay no amor,
    pinches rateros! lo bueno que no se robo cosas de valar. que fastidio!
    no tienen garage para guardar sus carros?
    oh alarma para que se asusten los tontos?
    te cuidas

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  5. I'm so sorry your car got robbed but at least nothing valuable got stolen. Hopefully they will be able to catch the idiot from your video footage.

    As a British reader of your blog I absolutely love the fact the thief DROVE up to rob your car! Only in America. (we think Americans drive everywhere you see.)

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  6. Yes, always press charges! It doesn't matter if they took off with one penny or your entire car. It's the principle of the thing. It's WRONG! Argh. So sorry that this happened to you and I hope they catch him
    Miss Magpie we DO drive everywhere as we have no alternative most of the time! :)

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  7. Oh my goodness! So upsetting to have this happen again!!! Glad nothing valuable was taken, and very glad no damage this time.

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  8. You have every right to be mad, it's your property! This type of attitude this kid has drives me nuts, no respect, grrr

    I have a similar story to you, when I was about that age I remember some friends stealing sweets from the local shop, I never did, then one day I just did it. I walked straight home, 2 mins from the shop, told my mum and she marched me back to return the sweets! Quite right if I had children I'd do the same

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  9. It’s really understandable why you'd get mad at that situation. Your car was broken into! Good thing you had a surveillance camera installed at your home that recorded the whole thing. At least you had proof and a possible ID of the guy who took your stuff. Hopefully the guy has been apprehended soon after. Take care!

    Kerry Lewis @ Westminster Security

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