By Katnip
How the Grinch stole MY Christmas. Two days after Christmas my beautiful, 2013 Chevrolet Camaro was a victim of crime. I thought I lived in one of the safer apartment complexes here in town. My bedroom is directly over the top of my carport on the second floor. I have a direct view of my car from the window. While I was sleeping, these thieves somehow managed to unlock my car without the alarm going off. (Apparently they make remotes to do so these days…thanks hackers of the world.) Why they chose MY car I will never know. One would naturally assume that a brand new car like mine would have a perfect lock and touchy alarm on it like Fort Knox. Well, my precious vehicle wasn’t well protected.
I’ve had my previous car broke in to before, and seen my things rummaged through. I’ve felt what it’s like to have your documents strung all over your car, and find your gear M.I.A. It’s awful. I should have taken the extra precaution like I have every other night and removed my valuables from the vehicle before locking her up for the night. I didn’t. I did have EVERYTHING out of sight. If you were to walk past my car, you couldn’t tell it’s a daily driver. I know better than to leave valuables out for prying eyes. I thought my stuff would be safe for one more night. Here’s a list of things I am kicking myself for, prepare to cringe:
– Canon Rebel EOS DSLR Camera with Lens, accessories, LowePro Camera Bag, and Cameron’s beloved camera tripod.
– iPhone 4S with car charger
– TomTom GPS with car charger
– Tool Box (Wrenches, Screw Drivers, Ratchets, etc)
– Jumper Cables
-My prized Bug Out Bag (As mentioned and pictured in this previous post) Now I will create a new Everyday Carry bag with emergency supplies, and bring it inside no matter what.
In addition, who knows if they could steal my identity, as I had some sensitive documents in the glove compartment that they rummaged through too.
I’ve since taken proper measures to protect myself since, and hopefully regain my property again. I would like to share these tips with you so this same thing doesn’t happen to you.
– Keep ALL valuables in your home. Don’t take the chance like I did and assume that things are safe in the trunk and out the vision of creepers.
– Download the “Find Your iPhone” application and TURN ON YOUR LOCATION! (I had previously turned the location off the day prior because I felt it was nuking my battery. Dumbest thing I’ve ever done, because I had this app on my smart phone, and because I turned the location off, it wouldn’t lead me or the local police to where my possessions were.)
– If you find yourself in this predicament of having your things stolen from you, contact your local police department, file a police report. Note: They wouldn’t come out, and recommended I fill one out online.
– Write a list of the items that were stolen from you, with serial numbers if available, and take this list in to the second hand shops, cellular stores, and local pawn shops.
– Contact your phone provider and register your phone as “Lost or Stolen.” If someone is dumb enough to try to activate the phone, the provider should confiscate the cell immediately and turn it over to either the police department or contact you to let you know your device had turned up.
– Scour all outlets of items for sale, such as eBay, Craigslist, Facebook sale pages, etc. Eventually, your stuff may turn up on one of those.
– Keep receipts of ALL expensive purchases that you have in your possession, my home owners insurance wouldn’t cover the items stolen from my car at my apartment, as I didn’t have proper sales receipts for these items….(They were gifts.) Things can’t be replaced if insurance can’t prove you never had them to begin with.
I can recommend from personal experience that having your stuff stolen is not a pleasant thing to have happen. It detracts from valuable time I could have spent using my nice things to make my life easier. If you’re a car thief, I would like to leave you with this final note: You should be ashamed of yourself. Work hard for your money so you can purchase quality belongings for yourself. Why steal from others that have actually earned their way in life? Karma is a bitch. Happy Travels!
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 
Sorry to read this, Cam, as I’ve been there myself some years ago. All of your tips here are good ones, but should it happen again, just remember these three words:
Lock and load. Enough said.
Nice polite caring thieves you have. No damage.
Then as payment for their consideration you leave all that expensive gear, plus documentation for them in your tin can on the street !?!
I’ll beat jargontalks three and raise it by one.
Empty the car at night!
SOP where we live as they aren’t so considerate and just smash windows to get in.
Take photos of your possessions if you don’t have receipts… Like a walk through the house, maybe even a video… This will work. If the insurance co balks, get a lawyer. They’ll change their tune when they get a letter from the lawyer.
Great input guys. Yeah, for the record this is my girlfriend’s car. I grabbed my valuables that day and brought them in the house. I keep a Kelty day pack loaded with gear, food, and supplies on me. I will do an HD video review on my setup soon. She made a mistake that day, but usually brings things inside. They must have been breaking into cars figuring Christmas gifts were still hiding inside. I did hear you can get electronic spoof devices for only $5 that will unlock cars. No good. I’d hate to have homes, or anything with electronic locks, such as garage door openers. Nothing is safe unless it’s on hand, or close by. That’s what my Marine buddy talks about in our recent EDC video. You never know who you can trust Well, I’d trust you guys…Thanks for sharing.