DH just got ROBBED while on travel!!

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I am so mad I can't think straight right now!

Just got a text from DH that someone smashed his driver's side window and broke into his car and stole his luggage and cell phone while he ran in to grab some lunch at a rest stop on I95 in CT. He was heading up to MA for a business trip.

Some nice folks called 911 for him and let him use their cell to send me a text but I have no way of getting a hold of him at the moment and I'm at a loss of what to do. I mean he's fine and he's at a public place and the police are on their way but now what can I do to help?

I am just so mad that people think they have a right to grab other folks' stuff.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I'm sorry that happened but it's common knowledge that it happens on the 95 rest stops. Nothing should ever be left in sight. I hope that he can get on with his trip quickly & that they find the thiefs.

 

[stmize]

something similar to this happened to my brother while in CA on business They took clothes and mac book just in the time for him to eat lunch. They actually went thru his luggage and when he came back to the rental car he saw his underwear on the ground. He had to go buy a new mac book for work and clothes and luggage

hope it works out ok

 

[juliebean]

That's awful - thank goodness it was just stuff and he's okay. The only thing I can think of to do in the moment, and I'm sure your a bundle of nervous energy right now, is to call your insurance company(ies) and see who will cover the damage and the stolen contents. Pretty sure the contents fall under home. Since he was traveling for work, I wonder if they also have coverage? So sorry - Julie

 

[tinytink]

just to be on the safe side you should not reply to the text because sometimes thieves sent messages like forgot pin # and such to get the information from you. I would hang tight until you can actually speak to him instead of relying on a text. I wonder why he could not have called you instead of sending a text. I just hate for it to be a scam and you are stressing out over it. I am not saying didn't happen but just air on the side of caution. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[JediMaster]

funny , cuz a couple of months ago I was at the northbound side of I95 Mcdonald's reststop in CT and a man was constantly pestering me and others for $$ out in the parking lock. I hope its not the people getting desperate and robbing cars now.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I'm sorry that happened but it's common knowledge that it happens on the 95 rest stops. Nothing should ever be left in sight. I hope that he can get on with his trip quickly & that they find the thiefs.

That's the thing - nothing was in sight. He's got a 10 year old SUV and all his stuff is in the back under the sliding cover and his cell phone was in the console. Looking in the windows, the car looks empty so I just don't get it. And he's not well dressed for the trip (jeans and a jacket).

I know it happens but it sucks when it happens to you.

I think I'm more annoyed that I can't get a hold of him than anything else. I just want to hear him to make sure he's okay (even though he already told me he was - but still...).

 

[SOnotLayuh]

 

[NotUrsula]

If you're worried, call his office. If it's legitimate and he is working, they should have heard from him as well.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

just to be on the safe side you should not reply to the text because sometimes thieves sent messages like forgot pin # and such to get the information from you. I would hang tight until you can actually speak to him instead of relying on a text. I wonder why he could not have called you instead of sending a text. I just hate for it to be a scam and you are stressing out over it. I am not saying didn't happen but just air on the side of caution. Good luck and keep us posted.

It was a text to my email as I don't carry a cell phone during the day and it's really the only way to get a hold of me (I work in a secure bldg - no cells allowed and I don't have a desk phone there).

Thanks for the reminder, though!

I know it will all turn out fine in the end I'm just still so agitated right now! So you guys get to listen to me vent!

 

[DCbride]

I like the advice about not giving out any info via a text message.

Hang in there.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

He just called from the pay phone at the rest area - he's fine, the car is a mess. The state trooper just left.

He's going to clean up as much glass as possible and come home. We'd rather deal with fixing things here than have AAA tow it to some out-of-state place, get a rental car, etc.

Not exactly a good day to drive with an open window right next to you but if he blasts the heat he figures it'll be okay - it's only about a 3 hour drive to get home from where he is.

I'm going to call the insurance company now and file our first ever claim - fun fun...

 

[Thumper_Man]

First thing I would do, since you have a phone at the moment, would be to call your cell phone provider and suspend his service. This way, whoever stole his phone can't use it. Also, since he was grabbing lunch, I take it he had all his credit cards and such with him right?

 

[Thumper_Man]

Sorry. I missed the part you don't have a cell phone or desk phone. Can you log into your account and suspend the service from there?

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

First thing I would do, since you have a phone at the moment, would be to call your cell phone provider and suspend his service. This way, whoever stole his phone can't use it. Also, since he was grabbing lunch, I take it he had all his credit cards and such with him right?

It's a work-issued blackberry so his company will take care of things on that end. Yup, thankfully he had his wallet and keys with him.

Thanks for the words of wisdom, guys. I'm slowly starting to regain my composure. But still mad as all get out.

 

[Heidict]

I swear it wasn't me!! I have been at work all day and haven't gone to any of the rest stops!!

Okay, just trying to lighten the mood. OP, sorry you guys are going through this. Not only does it suck that you now have to put in a claim with your insurance, pay a deductible, get the car fixed, go through the hassle of renting a car, replacing all the items that were stolen and of course, making sure that every little bit of glass is picked up so that one doesn't unexpectedly stab you in the behind one day, but the worst part of it is the feeling of being violated. It just feels so horrible knowing that someone was going through your things.

I would think that the McDonalds on the highway's would have video's on their parking lots, don't they? Which McDonalds did this happen at?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

How awful! We drive up / down 95 periodically and have never had a problem. But stories like yours remind me to be extra careful. I'm sorry you two had to go through this but thank you for posting.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I swear it wasn't me!! I have been at work all day and haven't gone to any of the rest stops!!

...I would think that the McDonalds on the highway's would have video's on their parking lots, don't they? Which McDonalds did this happen at?

Tee hee! It was x54 on I95. I'm sure the police will look into it but I doubt that a car break-in is high on their priority list.

Yeah, it's a hassle. *sigh* I spoke to the insurance company and so long as there's no body damage, it'll go through their glass claims dept so I have to get details on that. When DH gets home we'll make a list of everything that was taken and see if it will be worth filing a claim against our homeowner's. I guess this is when that high deductible isn't the best thing... although given what it saves us on premiums, it is what it is.

Car and home are both with NJ Manufacturer's and from everything I've heard they're easy to work with and if the uber-sweet rep I spoke to earlier is any indication, hopefully things will go smoothly. And we do have rental car reimbursement as part of our car insurance for when our car is undrivable so that's at least one thing that should get taken care of.

 

[tlbwriter]

I hope your insurance does cover the stolen items. When my car was stolen, the carseat was covered because it was considered "attached," but anything loose like CDs would not be covered. I don't know if luggage would have been covered.

 

[disneymarie]

He just called from the pay phone at the rest area - he's fine, the car is a mess. The state trooper just left.

He's going to clean up as much glass as possible and come home. We'd rather deal with fixing things here than have AAA tow it to some out-of-state place, get a rental car, etc.

Not exactly a good way to drive with an open window right next to you but if he blasts the heat he figures it'll be okay - it's only about a 3 hour drive to get home from where he is.

I'm going to call the insurance company now and file our first ever claim - fun fun...

I had a window claim with our vehicle coverage and the same day they came while my car was at work and had the windshield in about 30 minutes.

I would check with the homeowners about coverage for losses, helps when making calls to feel helpful. I know it is tacky, but a stop at walmart or somewhere for a sheet of plastic and tape will cut down on the swift wind. Maybe a AAA garage can even help with that.
An inexpensive cell could help like a tracfone if he needs to be in touch,

I do appreciate you sharing this info. Anymore when we travel if no one can stay with the car, we will exit and find someplace off the system as there are problems we can be aware of.

BTW, was his cell phone or gps in view? as law enforcement, if there are items in view those veh get hit before one that has nothing worthy in sight.

I am just glad he was not at his vehicle to have lost his, wallet, car, or life...
So thankful...
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