It is getting bad out there......

[arielsleepingbeauty]

You know, it is sad that people do have their cars broken into, however you have to be a complete idiot to keep that extreme amount of valuables in your car. Who does that??? Most hotels do have safes in their room or offer safe deposit boxes at the front desk. Even if they didn't, there are lockers inside the parks. I haven't heard much about those being broken into. I think it's much better than keeping them in a car. I wouldn't put the blame on anyone else. Come on, it has to be a scam. No one could be that stupid!!

 

[Jockaroo]

I think this story is a good reminder for all of us. Watch your valuables. My husband and I were the victims of a car break in during our 2000 trip. We were driving his new car and received a huge door ding when an excited child kicked a car door into our fender in the parking deck at Universal. Because of this, hubby parked his car in the back parking lot of a Red Lobster on International (near Universal and very near our hotel) because he thought the car would be safer without other cars around. While we were eating, someone took a can opener type device to the door lock. When we got to our car, the door was ajar and the interior lights on. We had cassette tapes thrown about the car and a roll of quarters stolen. The theif did not pop the trunk, or he would have gotten a laptop, camera, video camera and our park tickets. We did not have valuables visible in our car, only park maps which branded us as tourists. The roll of quarters was for the toll road and was out of view in the glove box. We felt violated, but did not see any real damage--it was dark, so we went back to the hotel. It seemed weird to call the police for a roll of quarters. The next morning, we could see damage to our car and did call the police. We were chewed out for not reporting the theft. Apparently, no matter how small, any break in should be reported. We had to pay over $500 to fix the lock on the car, but were fortunate the window wasn't broken and we could safely drive the car.

Please understand that we are very cautious about leaving anything of value visible in our car and we were still a victim of a robbery.

 

[willis37862]

You know, it is sad that people do have their cars broken into, however you have to be a complete idiot to keep that extreme amount of valuables in your car. Who does that??? Most hotels do have safes in their room or offer safe deposit boxes at the front desk. Even if they didn't, there are lockers inside the parks. I haven't heard much about those being broken into. I think it's much better than keeping them in a car. I wouldn't put the blame on anyone else. Come on, it has to be a scam. No one could be that stupid!!

Scam was the first thing I thought too. Yes those pieces of jewelry could have cost that much but are we sure they had them and they were in the car when it was broken in to. If they had that much jewelry could they not afford a car with a fancy car alarm. Or maybe that wouldn't help? I don't know. I like the locker idea though. Put all your stuff in a cheap looking bag ( as not to draw attention to it) and stash it in a locker.But then I don't take anything valuable with me except camera and I watch it like a hawk. I even leave all but one credit card at home or in the hotel safe.

 

[willis37862]

I think this story is a good reminder for all of us. Watch your valuables. My husband and I were the victims of a car break in during our 2000 trip. We were driving his new car and received a huge door ding when an excited child kicked a car door into our fender in the parking deck at Universal. Because of this, hubby parked his car in the back parking lot of a Red Lobster on International (near Universal and very near our hotel) because he thought the car would be safer without other cars around. While we were eating, someone took a can opener type device to the door lock. When we got to our car, the door was ajar and the interior lights on. We had cassette tapes thrown about the car and a roll of quarters stolen. The theif did not pop the trunk, or he would have gotten a laptop, camera, video camera and our park tickets. We did not have valuables visible in our car, only park maps which branded us as tourists. The roll of quarters was for the toll road and was out of view in the glove box. We felt violated, but did not see any real damage--it was dark, so we went back to the hotel. It seemed weird to call the police for a roll of quarters. The next morning, we could see damage to our car and did call the police. We were chewed out for not reporting the theft. Apparently, no matter how small, any break in should be reported. We had to pay over $500 to fix the lock on the car, but were fortunate the window wasn't broken and we could safely drive the car.

Please understand that we are very cautious about leaving anything of value visible in our car and we were still a victim of a robbery.

I am sorry you had this happen on your trip. We always stash bags in the trunk then hope for the best. Everynight it all goes in the hotel room. Though we are more lax when only spending one night in a place, we tend to leave more in the car. Guess we will have to rethink that.

 

[jpeka65844]

Here's a theory: Never leave anything valuable in your car, period. AND on top of that, never lock your car. Because if thieves want in, they'll get in. I'd rather have them not break a window to find there's nothing in my car but some air freshener and a few showtune CD's.


Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[canda]

Here's a theory: Never leave anything valuable in your car, period. AND on top of that, never lock your car. Because if thieves want in, they'll get in. I'd rather have them not break a window to find there's nothing in my car but some air freshener and a few showtune
CD's.[/B]

Denice T.
Olathe, KS

You might be a target for the "Jets" or maybe the "Sharks"...........

 

[nightowlky]

Here's a theory: Never leave anything valuable in your car, period. AND on top of that, never lock your car. Because if thieves want in, they'll get in. I'd rather have them not break a window to find there's nothing in my car but some air freshener and a few showtune CD's.


Denice T.
Olathe, KS

One thought on that (leaving the door unlocked), I wonder if an insurance wouldn't pay out if a car was left unlocked?

 

[suezb]

I have to disagree with this "AND on top of that, never lock your car.". A lot of thieves will just go from car to car, trying doors to see if someone left them unlocked. If someone locked it, they'll move on to the next car fast because they know that someone will eventually have. Locks are not thiefproof, but they are a deterrent.
You are correct though, if they want in, they'll get in. Breaking glass is something that will draw attention, so unless you're in a secluded place I think that's not as likely either.
However, there are many quick tricks to getting your car doors unlocked. Just look at how long it takes a locksmith to come unlock your car when you've left your keys inside! And sunroofs are a favorite of some car thieves; it takes just seconds to pop those babies open.
I can't belief they would leave their jewelry in the car though; that's just insane! My dad and I do tradeshows frequently, which means we gather a bunch of cash from people paying cash, and of course all the credit card receipts. When we are done, we NEVER leave those. I carry a backpack purse (Looks like a mini backpack) and all the money and credit cards go into that little backpack. It weighs a lot less than any purse I've ever picked up, as well! I would never leave jewelry in the car; it would definitely be treated just like cash, and stay on my person at all times. Especially with jewelry; that would have easily fit inside a backpack or purse.
I notice they left their purse in the car as well. That was just begging for something bad to happen There are lockers in those places, they could have used one. And if that wasn't available, you'd think at the very least they'd stick it in the trunk! Sure, trunks aren't safe either, but I hear more about car breaks in through the front then in the trunk!