Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

[snowbird]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Thief may be dumb enough to put in on Craig's list or Ebay.

It may help a bit if we have the VIN, otherwise it is just another RED T'Bird for sale.

[Skozzy]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

I have checked with DMPD no word yet. I have since found out it was stolen a block away from my house! Scary! This puts it stolen from Windsor Hieghts. I am checking with my good friend on the WHPD, he goes in at 1400 today. I will keep ya all posted.

[PBocciardi]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Folks, I just heard from Leon that the police just called and they found the car! It was in a hit and run, so he doesn't know yet how badly it was damaged. The police will keep it for a while to get prints off of it. Leon will keep us posted.

[5bird7]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Glad they found it Paula, but hearing that it's been wrecked is another downer. Hope it can be fixed.

[Dizzbe]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Glad that they found it! Almost any damage can be fixed, and if the worst happens and it is totaled - your friend can find another through us that has been treated well.

[VABird05]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

That's a relief it was found, and especially so quickly. What a shame, though, that it was damaged. Sure hope it can be repaired and the jerks are caught right away, too. They'd better be on the run, because Shon is on the lookout! It's just sickening when something like this happens!

[mamabird]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

I'm glad I am on your good side Joe

[wtxbird]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Im glad the bird is recovered, if they do not total it out, be sure to ask about the diminished value. Reason being if you ever go to resell it, It might show up in carfax and make the trade in value less than its really worth. Plus you dont know how it was abused and driven to hell and back.
Plus the damage on it now.:flames:

[PBocciardi]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Well, it looks like things turned out fairly well, all things considered. Leon says the car is very fixable and will be "like new" in a week. The body is still straight, but the passenger front fender corner hit at an angle, and the hood and front fascia were damaged as well. Leon's race driver friend will really check the mechanicals to make sure the car is ok. He says that it will cost him only "the $500 deductible and a weekend of heartache," so he considers himself lucky. (And the hit-and-run didn't injure anyone.) Leon thanks everyone for their concern!

[Sweet T]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

That makes 3 stolen, 3 recovered.....great!

As long as it's an insurance claim anyway, I'd have a professional detail thrown in. That fingerprinting dust is horrible to get rid of.

[Skozzy]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

I am glad to hear it is fixable! I couldn't imagine not passing him in the mornings with out his T-Bird!

[lmartun]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Folks, I just heard from Leon that the police just called and they found the car! It was in a hit and run, so he doesn't know yet how badly it was damaged. The police will keep it for a while to get prints off of it. Leon will keep us posted.

Real shame it was damaged.

When I bought mine I had a Lo-Jack with the early warning system installed.

If it moves 5' in any direction and I am not the driver. I get calls to three phones, an e-mail and a FAX sent to me immediately.

Glad I have it after reading this.


LM

[Hannah3]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Real shame it was damaged.

When I bought mine I had a Lo-Jack with the early warning system installed.

If it moves 5' in any direction and I am not the driver. I get calls to three phones, an e-mail and a FAX sent to me immediately.

Glad I have it after reading this.


LM

How do you tell the lojack it is you driving?

[lmartun]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

How do you tell the lojack it is you driving?

With early warning you get a sensor that you put on your key chain. If that sensor is NOT in the TBird and it starts and/or moves, the warning is triggered and Lo-Jack sends the calls, e-mail and FAX to ask me if I am driving it. If I reply that I am not in it, Lo-Jack contacts the police immediately and the hunt is on.

It works great, twice I have been in it, and I did not know the early warning sensor's battery was low. Within a few minutes my cell phone was ringing with Lo-Jack seeking verification that I was driving it.

The beauty of it is that you do not have to discover the car is missing to report it. That could give the crooks hours head start, like if you are inthe local mall for lunch and shopping. The instant the car moves early warning is tripped and they'll call you. Since you're in the mall when the call comes, you know it is stolen and they'll go after it immediately.

I highly recommned Lo-Jack WITH early warning to all TBird owners.


lm

[PBocciardi]

Re: Stolen Thunderbird -- Des Moines, Iowa

Well, Leon got the photos back of his damaged car. The repair cost will be very high because all of the parts are brand new. Leon says that everyone should be sure to keep up the insurance on these cars because of the cost of parts.
(See attached photos.)
He says he will be re-keying the auto because the original key was never found.
According to the state trooper he spoke with in Iowa, the build numbers were so low on the T-Birds that it is too risky for thieves to chop the cars for parts (as they might be able to do for a Toyota or Honda).
The biggest lesson learned is: If you lose your keys or misplace them, lock up the car in a garage until you find the keys or until you take the car to a dealer to have it re-keyed.
It has been a learning experience for all, and Leon hopes that what everyone has shared will prevent this from happening to another member.