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GPS units constantly stolen from vehicles in New York

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by FloridaWen, Jun 20, 2007.

  1. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    :angry: We all get trusting sometimes living in "suburbia" and when we make a quick stop, like into a grocerery store, we leave our GPS (NAV) in plain sight, on the dashboard or clipped to a vent outlet or visor.... whatever, it can (and is) easily "seen" by any outsider. Well I just heard (on TV news) that in New York City these units are being STOLEN from vehicles in record numbers. Even if "stashed" in glove box, thieves "see" the suction cup mount and wires and KNOW that they are in that vehicle and smash.... and grab !!
    I was seriously thinking of buying a Garmin nuvi 660 or TomTom OneXL in the very near future, but even down here in the Tampa, Florida area crime still exists. As it is now, I have a Valentine1 Radar Detector I am paranoid as all Hell leaving in plain sight, clipped to the visor, when I park my vehicle. I remove the entire unit, clip and all, and lock it in the glove box or take it with me, depending where I am going.
    As far as buying a NAV for my "other" vehicle ('04 Honda CR-V EX) I am seriously considering an "in-dash" (permanantly) mounted unit that would look like a factory screen and might help deter would-be theives, but maybe not even that is a good idea ?? :angry: Look how easily thieves steal in-dash DVD and CD changers....
     
  2. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    If they want it, they are going to get it, regardless of whether it is on the windshield, in a glove box or even installed in your dash. That said, there are certainly things you can do to minimize your risk. I don't keep my nav system in my car, as I really don't need or use it on a daily basis. When I do have it in the car, I park in well lighted areas or in a garage.
     
  3. daronspicher

    daronspicher Active Member

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    I live in suburbia and leave my garmin on the dash at work and in my garage at night. If I park downtown chicago, I take it off.

    My garmin has the garmin lock. If someone steals it, I'm out my gps, but they won't be able to use it or sell it because the buyer won't be able to use it either.....

    So, what's the deal with the gps industry in general? Do they not all have the lock? If not, they all should have it soon.

    If anyone is unfamiliar with the lock, at least on my garmin... when it boots up, it asks for my 4 digit pin. If I put in the wrong one, it takes a 10 second time out before I can try again. Occationally I'll fumble a digit and have to wait. I guess a theif could put it on his dash and drive for however long it takes them to eventually get to my pin starting at 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003 and eventually before 9999 they'd hit it, get it unlocked and be able to use it.
     
  4. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 20 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]465146[/snapback]</div>
    Sounds like the exact same practice and procedures we do with our present Valentine1 Radar Detector. We always try to park under a "lighted" area, but not too close to "prime" (squeezed in vehicles) areas to get door dings. We remove the V1 and my Wife either puts in in her "saddle bag" (a.k.a. pocketbook) or in extreme cases we hide it deep under the seat. The wiring is sort of "stealth" in the headliner and the connector is hidden under the headliner when unit is removed. Wires run thru headliner, down plastic windshield pillar cover and into fusebox, as hidden as one can get, I guess ?? We always worry when we are in a parking garage or an event, like a concert, movie, play, home show, amusement park, dinner, etc. when a thief KNOWS we will definitely be gone for at least a couple of hours, although it can be stolen in less than two minutes !!

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jun 20 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]465147[/snapback]</div>
    I never heard of this and my buddy has a nuvi 660 ?? His was always "on" when I played with it, so I guess it was something I never realized or considered ?? Gotta ask him 'bout that !!

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jun 20 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]465147[/snapback]</div>
    Obviously they should. The ones I played with at Circuit City were all "on" too...... never re-booted any of 'em to realize this. THANKS for telling me (and us) about this great feature, and is it JUST Garmin or do most others (or all) have it ??
     
  5. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    You can password protect the TomTom as well. But, theives know that most people aren't going to use the password function, which reduces the deterrent factor of having one to begin with. So, they will steal yours just on the chance that you aren't using a password.

    Of course, it doesn't really matter that the guy who steals it isn't going to be able to use it, becuase he isn't going to bring it back to you. No matter what, you are out a GPS unit. Rather than relying on passwords, I try to make sure it won't get stolen in the first place.
     
  6. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 20 2007, 10:09 AM) [snapback]465172[/snapback]</div>
    I know exactly what you mean.... as a Computer Engineer, I laugh every time I went to do a field call on a Linksys router and the password was (75% of the time) the default, factory installed, password, NEVER changed by the user !! Then to make matters worse they never protected (encrypted) the units with the W.E.P. key, Oh my gosh..... wide open to the world !! :eek:
     
  7. mcsj

    mcsj Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jun 20 2007, 08:33 AM) [snapback]465147[/snapback]</div>
    What good exactly does this do? Thieves smashed a window, grabbed your Garmin... you still lost a GPS, and you (or insurance) still need to pay for the smashed window, and you still have to deal with all those police stuff, rain or snow coming in thru the broken window, etc.
     
  8. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    Just remember that most auto insurance companies will not cover things stolen from your car that are not actually a part of your car (i.e. GPS, iPod, cell phone, radar detector, satellite radio, etc.). Most of the time you need to file a claim under your homeowners insurance for items stolen out of your car, and chances are that your deductible is higher than the value of the items.
     
  9. uncool

    uncool New Member

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    I work for the Chicago Police. We see about 15 GPS device thefts citywide a day just on my shift. Definitely get one you can take inside with you or one that uses your MFD and can hide. People suck.
     
  10. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    Yep, my Garmin GPS was stolen from my car at a theater parking lot in Brooklyn NY. Smashed window and broken lock. Called GEICO, was told the GPS is not covered under the policy. Car was repaired within a week with all Toyota parts and minimal hassle.

    Detailed it on my blog... http://www.xanga.com/scottymelon/588965720...-my-cargps.html
     
  11. SweetPri

    SweetPri New Member

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    Wow. This is good to know since I have one on order. Will have to not let myself be lazy and just leave it out. Frankly, I won't need it with me all the time so I'll need to get in the habit of leaving it at home. Which kind of bites.

    You are right, Uncool, people do suck. :angry:
     
  12. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

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    :rolleyes: In my line of work we see it all the time, "STUPID PEOPLE" they get common placed, they leave their cars running as they just run into the local shop & rob for a soda. Or they park the car with their purses & other valuable sitting in plain view or wedged under the seat. and then the best part....... :blink: I can't understand why they stole my car I was only gone 3 mins, or I locked my car why would they steal my stuff.. I had one, really 25 to be exact were theives entered 25 unlocked cars and stole lap tops, change, cigs, GPS units, xm units ect, ect. :rolleyes:

    I think of their insurance companies when they report that the stuff was stolen and the cars where unlocked, or items in plain view, so on and so on....

    I love pulling up to the local shop & rob, the customer will leave the car running sometimes with children in the car & park in the handi-caped or a fire lane.. $$$$$$$$

    Fire Lane $ 110.00

    Handicap $ 189.00 - $300.00

    Leaving engine running unatended $ 180.00

    Leaving engine running unatended w/child in car $180.00 + court appearence :D


    Hitting the pocket seems the only way to educate the public.... B)
     
  13. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    We had a theft ring around here recently that preyed on day care centers. They knew most parents would leave their cars unlocked when the went inside to drop-off or pick-up their kids. So, they would hit the cars then, mostly taking purses, iPods and cell phones.

    Criminals are not dumb, but a great deal of people are...
     
  14. Wiyosaya

    Wiyosaya Member

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    I usually only use my Pocket PC with GPS when I travel. When I hit rest stops, I take the suction mount down, then reattach when I'm ready to go again. It's trivial to remount, IMHO. Also, I always lock my car.

    Lastly, I highly recommend that anyone buying a new car invest in a glass-breakage sensor. Why? Because the alarm will go nuts if anyone tries to break the windows. A car alarm without this feature will only prevent the car from being stolen. The GBS may prevent the car from having the windows smashed. When I bought my Prius, the GBS was something like a $260 US option. IMHO, it is well worth the cost.

    Case in point. I used to work for a large company that has a large parking lot in a high-crime area, and I parked in that parking lot. Pretty regularly, e-mail would circulate from security that some employee had their car broken into when their car was parked in that lot. Before I got my Prius, I had a 94' Acura Integra - one of the top models sought after by thieves. I had an alarm system with a shock sensor (it does pretty much the same thing as the GBS) installed in it within a few weeks of when I bought the Integra. The alarm system had a means of indicating that it had been tripped. Several times when I went to my car at night, the alarm indicated that it had been tripped, but there was no damage to my car, no signs of forced entry, etc., and no thunder storms which might have set off the shock sensor. So, I can only assume that someone had tried to break into the car, but the shock sensor scared them off.

    Also, a friend of mine has a Mitsubishi Evo - a car that also makes thieves drool. ;) His alarm system does not have a GBS or shock sensor, i.e., his alarm just disables the car if it is broken into. Well, guess what happened? He parks in the same lot and one day he came out to find a window smashed and his stereo ripped from the dashboard. There was something like $2K in damage.

    It is hard to say for sure, but I bet that if he had had a GBS, the outcome would have been different.
     
  15. daronspicher

    daronspicher Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcsj @ Jun 20 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]465178[/snapback]</div>
    My point was... If all the gps units on the market had the lock with pin number on them and it quickly became known that stealing one will yield you NOTHING since neither you, nor the pawn shop can use it or sell it because you can't get into it... then, would theives take the time to break a window to get a gps?

    I don't have to have a garmin on the dash to get a broken window and an insurance deductable to pay..
     
  16. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Most people around here don't lock their cars, or their houses for that matter. What if one of your friends needed to borrow something? People leave their boats open with thousands of dollars worth of GPS chart plotters and radios just there for the taking. Mostly it works out. There are disadvantages with living a long way from the city, but some good advantages too. :) On one sailing trip to Beaver Island, the deputy sheriff loaned us his Jeep for the weekend. We were total strangers, but he found out we were on foot and figured he didn't need the Jeep, so off we went. It's too bad the whole world can't work this way, but there are just way to many people. :angry:

    Tom
     
  17. Trevor

    Trevor Member

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    I think such thefts are an afterschool activity for some kids in NYC. I have seen the technique after school lets out where high schoolers walk down the steet very slowly and peer into each car as they walk by. They even had slang terminology for this, but I can't remember what it was. Living here all my live I just know not to leave anything that could lead to any curiosity in plain sight.

    I can go a bit overboard sometimes... if I'm shopping at a mall and have to put something in my trunk and continue shopping, I will actually move to a different parking spot just in case someone saw me leaving things in the car.

    I also have to spot check the car when I have passengers to make sure that they haven't left anything out in the open.

    The main reason I went for the Prius nav is because it was a hassle for me on road trips when I would dismantle my PocketPC GPS setup every time I stopped at a rest stop. It would be nice not to have to take so many precautions.
     
  18. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    True story..... happened about 35 years ago in West Haven, Connecticut. My Uncle was an Antique Dealer and in Connecticut, Mass., NY, NJ there were many Antique Shows (items for sale - open to public) on the weekends. I was a teenager back then helping him to make an extra buck by watching the booth and then loading boxes after the show. We loaded the station wagon with items (wrapped carefully with tissue in banana boxes) and a few metal w/glass top jewelry cases. Then we covered all the stuff up with blankets.... out of sight, out of mind? The show was in New Haven (home of Yale) at the New Haven Coliseum and we then drove to West Haven, about 8 miles away and stopped (around 10:00 PM) for a cup of coffee at Valle's restaurant in West Haven. We made sure ALL the doors were locked (you know the ritual, walking around the vehicle and trying every handle) and parked under some really bright lights. We were inside about 30 minutes and then came out. While walking to the station wagon we saw the blankets were all bunched up and moved. We ran to the vehicle to discover we were robbed. NO broken glass at all, but rear tailgate unlocked along witrh driver's door. We didn't want to touch anything to preserve fingerprints. (C.S.I. West Haven?) Immediately we called the West Haven Police, cops and then detectives came, dusted for prints, but accused us of not locking the doors. We told them we were not that stupid and we actually checked each of the five doors. Then one detective (we were parked under a very bright light) saw that there were "marks" on the rubber of the driver's door and concluded a "slim-jim" pick was used to open the door. Yes, my Uncle had NO alarm and was a very trusting (and religious) sole. My Uncle was devistated, thousands of dollars of antiques were stolen. The very next day he reported this to his insurance company and they said since NO SIGNS OF FORCED ENTRY WAS APPARENT, his loss was not covered. Remember, that was over 35 years ago, but I wonder if it still holds true today ?? If NO signs of broken glass, by the thief using a lock pick, master key or "slim-jim" tool, is the vehicle damage (if any) or stolen contents (after deductible is met and on homeowner's policy) covered. Kinda makes one want to smash their own window just to prove a theft really did happen and that the hood was quickly opened and horn wire disconnected (or neg. battery cable cut) to silence the honk-honk-honk-honk..... which we all ignore these days !!
     
  19. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

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    Check Craigslist, ebay & local pawn shops for your stolen gear....!
     
  20. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hycamguy07 @ Jun 21 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]465800[/snapback]</div>
    Seriously, in reference to post #18 (above) the antiques that were missing were put on a "hot sheet" and sure 'nough, some of them surfaced a few months later in New York. Unfortunately MOST Antique Dealers that bought them "played dumb" and said they didn't check the hot sheet......... yeah, right !!
    Bur remember, this was OVER 35 years ago, before the Internet. The "hot sheets" were mailed via the only means possible back then, snail mail !!