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My PM got robbed

33K views 61 replies 28 participants last post by  bigmobrown 
#1 · (Edited)
Happened last Sunday, in Viento State Park, I84, 60 miles East of Portland OR, a few miles west of Hood River.

I was in a parking lot close to the Columbia River were I was windsurfing. The parking is within the State Park, so one would think it is safe with the camp host rangers and windsurfing friends all around. It isn't. And I heard that it happens a lot in parks and parkings near trails and sightseeing sites in the Northwest.

My PM was locked, but not with with the FOB key, since I didn't want to bring it in the water.

They tried to force the door lock, broke it, but it didn't work, so they smashed the driver fixed windows and opened the door. Stole my two computers and the removable disk that contained my backups. Good thing they didn't find my wallet.

Went to the Chrysler dealer at The Dalles the next morning. Lucky for me, a replacing window was available in Portland, they would get it the next day and fix it Wednesday.

Got there at 1 PM today, they told me they didn't know how to fix it, so the refered me to a place called Action Auto Glass in The Dalles. Of course, the guy never replaced that type of window on a PM but didn't think it was a problem , so hegave me an appointment at 5, same day.

I went back to the dealer to get more information on how to remove the fixed window. He went on internet, printed a few pages that were helpful to my guy.

Asked if that site was available to us, it isn't. So I asked him if a technical manual for the PM was available, it is, $700 he said.

The window cost $115 and the guy at Action Auto Glass charged me $65.

What will cost more is the lock replacement. According to the Chrysler dealer, you have to replace the whole lock mechanism, including the FOB keys. Parts are in the $600 range. I'll get it fixed when I go back to Montreal.

Took pictures while the guy was replacing the window. Will post them later.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
Very sorry to hear about this. I'm going to try my best to learn from it.

Thoughts rushing through my head at the moment.

1) Should I install a bulkhead to discourage thieves? If they break in, nowhere to go.
2) Install lock pucks on side and rear door.
3) Might alarm system do enough to avoid 1) and 2) ?
4) Do thieves ignore alarm systems and smash and grab anyway?

If anyone has thoughts or experience, please share here.

FYI, When I was last on a kitesurfing vacation in Hawaii, dumb me, was parked by the tree line while out kitesurfing. Later, the locals said, we park in the middle of the lot, far away from smash and grab access. Then they pointed to police car sitting in park. Bums live in woods. Smash and grab for money.
 
#9 ·
You Kite? I always knew that there was a dark side to your personality ;) Seriously, I started snow kiting last winter, might do it on water someday.

Anayways, what I will do in the future for more protection is:

1) Always use my FOB key to lock the doors so it sets the alarm, even in places that I thought were safe.

2) Get some kind of safe that I can put my valuables in it. A good place to put it would be in between the tow seats. It could be tied with a chain to the back of the seat.
 
#8 ·
Sorry to hear about that break in. In my 2014 owner's manual, first edition, page 17 is describes the alarm system. It doesn't say "if equipped" so I figure it's installed. Believe if you had used the FOB(RKE) to lock, the alarm would be armed. Get a waterproof case at a boat shop to put the FOB in.
 
#10 ·
Sorry Guy. I thought you were in the Gorge before. I don't consider any park in the Gorge safe from theft. There are too many meth heads around and they go for the crimes that the police won't look after: car thefts and bicycle/rec gear.

Always ensure that your vehicle is spotless before you leave it, with no gear/equipment visible and not even loose change in sight.

I also believe that the tweekers will go after out of state vehicles more, since they know there is a higher probability that there is more property to rifle through in the vehicle.

Can I ask if there was any property visible through the windows before the break in?
 
#12 ·
A dash mounted flashing light always makes someone think twice about messing with a vehicle. Especially when there's a big parking lot full of other cars without flashing lights.
An aftermarket car alarm equipped with a properly adjusted shock sensor and or a glass breakage sensor would have helped but unfortunately not completely stop someone from breaking your window.

Factory alarm is good and sounds when the doors are opened but won't if there's an impact..
 
#13 ·
Sorry to read about this, Guy. I am pissed just reading about this. Despite what they say about the economy, it still sucks and there are those out there looking for a quick buck. Around here there are hundreds of people with cardboard signs begging at every freaking highway onramp, grocery parking lot and such. Police do not do anything about them. I have become so immune to them, that I simply refer to them as vagrant crack smoking losers. I am sure they (beggars) make way more money than we do working a 40 hour week.

Sorry, off my rant.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Dang that really suck. Sorry to hear.

As for the dealer not being able to do the work, it sounds like training is pass due. And if they would have charged you less than the window specialist I would think that they could at least cover the difference. Isn't the window just a bonded design?

As for the door lock, I wonder if this is a sign to how things are being designed to reduce overall factory inventory parts count, meaning that things are to be replaced as a larger complete assembly and cost for the end user...bummer.

Hope things are looking up.
 
#15 ·
The window is in fact a bounded design, fairly easy to repair. All the specialist had to do was to:

1) Remove the plastic inside frame

2) Loosen the mirror

3) Clean up the pieces from the broken window

4) Glue the new one in.

It took him maybe 45 minutes to do it, but the guy took his time and had a lot of stories to tell me, including a delicious one on the former Sprinter van he owned and wish he never did. ;)

Frankly, I was happy that they referred me to this guy, he did an excellent job at a very decent price.

Here's a few pictures of the process:









For future reference, should I need his help again

Action Auto Glass
Glenn Thompson
408 Madison Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
541 296 7777
 
#16 ·
Dwight, I have worked in Detroit almost all my life so with that said here are some tips that one or two may be of some use to you and others.

1. Puck locks are worthless because you will eventually quit using them. Cargo Locks are electric deadbolts, not available for the PM yet but a good installer can make them work for you.

2. I have 2 safes in the cab mounted to the bulkhead and the side of the drivers seat. One for my laptop and the other for a .45 caliber Glock and my Titanium .357 carry revolver (can't have enough protection in the "D").

3. Tint your windows as dark as possible. Two reasons behind this, carjackers will not boost you if they can't see you and it makes it harder to see the interior.

4. Get a solid bulkhead.

5. Get an alarm with a visible system armed indicator. I know a guy that installed a siren in the cab that there is no way you can stick your head in there without incredible pain to your ears, this thing was crazy loud.

6. Do exactly what Keithwalker said, leave your interior spotless.

Turn your truck into bug spray so the blood sucking insects will not take what you worked hard for.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for the advises, guys, well noted.

I was reading the "emergency brake" topic and found the terminology debate pretty amusing. Using the right words are important, as I was reminded on another forum.

I did a topic on my "robbery" on a Northwest windsurfing forum.

Here's a feedback I got from a person:

"Technically a robbery is the taking of property by fear or force - envision a person walking up to you with a gun, pointing it at you and demanding your wallet. A burglary is what you experienced, a theft of your property when you were not present.

I was quite alarmed when I read the subject line of your post because I assumed you had actually been robbed, a potentially much more dangerous situation than a burglary. I was glad to discovery that was not the case."

So I replied:

"You may have guessed that I am a foreigner and don"t master English very well. Sorry for upsetting you with my title and thanks for the tutorial. At least, I learned something from this bad experience."

;) ;) ;)
 
#18 ·
I know some people put gun friendly decals on the vehicle. I know that would give a tweaker some pause.

I know that there are a few UK sites that have Ducato security locks. I guess they have similar crime there too.

I haven't resorted to that yet (I have had two street motorcycles stolen from me in my life, so I am cautious about what is left out in plain sight).
 
#19 ·
I might have to dig this up, but a while back, I found and posted about some UK places like Sussex Installations which will ship to the US their handle armor, secondary deadbolts, and other plates. They even have a deadlocking system that turns the handle inert, so the key has to be turned every time the cargo area is opened.

For a cargo van with a barrier between the cab and everything else, I like the deadbolts. Yes, they take time to lock and unlock, but work just as well as the ugly hockey puck locks.

I wouldn't use gun stickers. Some areas, they just make your vehicle a bigger target for the meth-heads, and some municipalities will use the decals as probable cause for a stop and search.
 
#20 ·
I was thinking that you should get a better lock, but that wouldn't have even helped because they just broke the window. One of the best things to do might be to get a lock box for inside the van with a big pad lock. It will hide your valuables so they are out of sight and will also be harder to break into than a window.

So sorry to hear about this though. People can be jerks. If they were driven to this level of desperation than they must be going through some pretty hard times themselves (or they are really big jerks/ drug addicts).
 
#27 ·
One has to look at the positive aspects of my little incident in The Gorge.

For one thing, it made me and my Promaster famous in The Gorge. No much really happens in The Gorge, so me and my robbery was the prime subject on the beach for at least a week. Even paparazzis were on zodiacs trying to get pictures of me:



Ain't The Gorge a fabulous place?

And when you think of it, all they took were my computers, never found my wallet or stole my windsurfing gear ($$$). So, it could have been much worst and I will be more cautious in the future.

So my whining was unnecessary so please, guys, don't argue over it.

Like we say in Hood River, "Life is good in the Hood".

:)
 
#30 ·
So, I on my second big long trip with my PM and I must say I am a bit paranoid about getting stolen again in the Gorge .

What didn't help is that a windsurfing friend got stolen after my incident while hiking in the Gorge. It was way worst than I, they stole the pickup van. Luckily, police found it a week later (with a lot of stuff missing), but it was a major vacation spoiler for him.

I didn't care that much about my stolen computers, but the annoying part was the broken lock and window: it cost more than 1,200$ to get it fixed. Ok, my car insurance covered it, but if it happens again my insurance premium will go sky high.

So, I made a plan and would like to know what you think of it.

The time I got stolen, my doors were locked, but the alarm (OEM) was not. This year, what I plan to do is to make sure the alarm is on, lock the doors, but make it easy for them to open the door by leaving the window open, this way they don't break anything. Of course, a professional thief would be able to turn the alarm off in no time, but my bet is that most thieves in the Gorge are brainless crack heads.

What they will find inside is a wallet with little money and no credit cards and a cheap tablet. Of course, a lot of windsurfing equipment, but this stuff has no interest for thieves, no windsurfer ever buys equipment in a pawn shop and the windsurfing world is very small. And even if they had interest, the back doors are still locked, the only way to get the stuff out.

My wife is not too keen on my plan, but I think it is the best option to minimize the damages.

Other ideas welcomed.
 
#31 ·
I understand you feel this is not a random event or is so common there you feel the chances are high of a repeat or worse. Sad. How about taking an afternoon off from windsurfing and park the van in a place where it can be watched..... by you? 911 cell service there? Get the perps numberplate, and description and make the call. Getting these types caught is the answer. BTW my house was robbed and I did not loose any computer equipment. Odd I thought, until I realized I have "find my Mac" which allows me to know where it is as soon as it is opened from my iphone. I would love to follow the police when they went to the house my computer said it was in and watch the face of the perp when they answered the door! Must be the meth heads know this too?
 
#32 ·
I understand you feel this is not a random event or is so common there you feel the chances are high of a repeat or worse. Sad. How about taking an afternoon off from windsurfing and park the van in a place where it can be watched..... by you?
Take a day off to watch my van while it is blowing?

RDinNHandAZ, I don't think you understand what it is to be a windsurfer, a condition way worst than being a crack head ;)

Just to tell you how bad it is. My wife is a boardhead as bad as I am. Our wedding ceremony was 5 mph short of being canceled: it was blowing 15 mph that day, 20 mph would have been a deal breaker ;)

Your thing with your Apple computer and phone proves once again how superior Apple is. It's going to be my next buy.
 
#33 ·
At some parks in Hawaii, car break-ins for windsurfers is an issue too. The locals told me, park out in the open. Somewhere everyone can see the perps trying to smash the window.

Where people get robbed, is parking near the trees, shrubs, etc, where the thieves hide and live.

I'd keep the van locked and walk a little farther if you have to. Park the van in a wide open place, with people all around and visible. Otherwise windsurf another spot.
 
#35 ·
Bummer, I'm outfitting a promaster for kiting, windsurfing and mountain biking. Hearing your break in is disheartening. I will heed the advices given. Thinking a proximity sensor would be a cool idea when they peek into the window, and set off some flashing lights. Another idea is to leave the radio on, or a portable one. They would think someone is still in the van.
 
#41 ·
I had my Astro Van broken into while in locked storage in White Salmon. $15k worth of gear gone! I now keep my stuff at a friends in the middle of nowhere (somewhere in the Gorge). Fortunately I was insured. Like others have indicated, it's predominantly the drugs that are resulting in increasing theft. I lived in the Gorge and vicinity for 21 years and the difference today is quite evident. A friend had two jet skis stolen right out of his driveway. Twenty years ago you left your doors unlocked in the Gorge without a second thought.

I'm headed out of town later today to pick up my new 2500 Diesel 159 Promaster on Friday.
 
#42 ·
it's predominantly the drugs that are resulting in increasing theft. I lived in the Gorge and vicinity for 21 years and the difference today is quite evident.
I am comforted to see that some people admit that crime have increased in the NW, because some people are in denial, Viento State Park rangers for starters.

When I told them I got stolen, their first reaction was to say "Never happened before". Had to remind them I got stolen twice in my tent the years before and, if they look carefully in the parking adjacent to the Starvation Creek path way, they'll see plenty of glass from broken car windows.

Anyways, will be looking for you van this summer.

Cheers!
 
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