Breaking In - Has it happened to your DeLorean?

[Ryan King]

So this morning, my roommate Scott's Dodge Dakota truck got broken into. It appeared as though someone used a Jimmy and unlocked his car door through window. Its really unfortunate. They stole his CD's, his pink slip for the car, his Air Force Jacket, and a couple of gift cards...

...but what really "rustled my jimmys" was that my DeLorean was parked right next to his car. I had my +100 piece plus tool kit in my car in plain view. I also had my iPod squished between the center console and seat.

I was really lucky to have not had my car broken into...which made me think. Has anyone on here had their DeLorean broken into? How hard would it be? I know this is a topic that should be taken very lightly, being on the World Wide Web and all...since this could work against us in the future.

[WelmoedJ]

If you have to park your car out in the open, your car always is subject to people who want to have things without paying for them.

Luckily it seems that not many outdoor residing DeLoreans happen to attract thieves.

Anyway, like with "normal" cars, it's never a good idea to leave stuff in plain view.
Doing so is very much like saying "hey, look what I have", followed by your "Hey, it's gone" if the thief is successful.
Mind that insurance companies also consider how you "display" your properties, left in a car.
You never know a thief's interest so it's always a good idea to hide all you want to keep in your car in the trunk or glove box.
What one can't see obviously isn't there.

Breaking into a DeLorean is not difficult: most thieves don't care what they destroy in their attempt to get the things they want.
Breaking a window is the fastest (but also loudest) way to get into an object.

[Mike C.]

An old owner in Kissimmee had his D broken into. Slashed his seats with a knife, tore though the electrical compartment cutting wires and harnesses, etc. Car was pretty messed up. He sold it, but not before having it repaired I believe.

[dvonk]

wow, thats unnecessarily vindictive! if getting broken into wasnt bad enough...

[DMC5180]

I know someone (not me) who had there (1-DIN Aftermarket) Radio stolen from there D in broad daylight from a parking lot with security cameras. It was caught on video. It took all of 90 seconds. In this case the Vehicle was UNLOCKED so I guess I would not call it forced entry. The thieves were not perused (Owners choice). It was believed the car had been cased earlier, because it was at the Owners place of work and he often drove it to work.

Fortunately the damage was limited to the A/C panel and loss of Radio and mount tray.

Two lessons learned Don't leave the car unlocked (in public) and don't assume that because it's a Delorean someone won't be tempted to see if it is unlocked.

[thirdmanj]

I had the kindest thieves "break" into 1258 while she was snug up safe in the garage. At the time, I was in the habit of simply locking the garage and leaving 1258s doors unlocked because I didn't trust the locking mechanism. The thief or thieves expertly picked the lock on the garage, simply opened the door of the car and professionally removed the head unit (even used electrical tape on the cut wires) and made off with my Black&Decker pressure washer. No vandalism, no damage to the car or shop. Really bizarre, but it could've been so much worse. I wish I knew who they were so I could thank them in person for their professionalism, and for not stooping to the level of vandal.

[Iznodmad]

I know someone (not me) who had there (1-DIN Aftermarket) Radio stolen from there D in broad daylight from a parking lot with security cameras. It was caught on video. It took all of 90 seconds. In this case the Vehicle was UNLOCKED so I guess I would not call it forced entry. The thieves were not perused (Owners choice). It was believed the car had been cased earlier, because it was at the Owners place of work and he often drove it to work.

Fortunately the damage was limited to the A/C panel and loss of Radio and mount tray.

Two lessons learned Don't leave the car unlocked (in public) and don't assume that because it's a Delorean someone won't be tempted to see if it is unlocked.

Story sounds strangely familiar. Didn't happen to be a black turbo DeLorean, former owner's initials AP?

[DMC5180]

Story sounds strangely familiar. Didn't happen to be a black turbo DeLorean, former owner's initials AP?

No, Not a Black Turbo, but oddly enough the initials are correct and he still owns the car.

[Rich W]

thirdmanj,

Not to get all "CSI" on this topic, but there is a really good chance of getting
finger prints off the electrical tape, if the thief(s) worked without gloves.

Probably happened long ago, but it is just a thought.

Later,
Rich W.

[thirdmanj]

thirdmanj,

Not to get all "CSI" on this topic, but there is a really good chance of getting
finger prints off the electrical tape, if the thief(s) worked without gloves.

Probably happened long ago, but it is just a thought.

Later,
Rich W.

Yeah I mentioned that to the police officer I made the report to, he said he could request it, "but that it was unlikely the department would devote those kinds of resources to a crime such as this". I thought it was kinda fucked up, but whatever. I was still grinning at the fact that they didn't destroy anything. C'est la vie.

[The_Reverend]

Left my Delorean parked outside my shop last week and I crashed out on my sofa, woke up the next morning to find a coat hanger inside the car, and my 10 year old pioneer radio was gone (wires cut) my optima battery gone, and my jumper cables. wtf.

[DMC5180]

WOW That stinks. I can't imagine how you could get a coat hanger to unlock a Delorean. were any tell-tail signs (scratch marks) where they stuck the wire in?

[The_Reverend]

My damn driverside window sometimes gets stuck and it was halfway down :bawling:

But they were nice enough to leave the coat hanger on the passengerside seat for me.

[DMC5180]

That would do it.