Apparently it was sitting out in front of an apartment complex and so they had stationed a police car there to watch it until we went to come pick it up. So since the kids were already in bed, Zack called our friend Phil and they went to go pick it up. This is where it's kind of strange.
So the police had said that they had just happen to spot it parked out on the street, but they had talked to some of the neighbors and it appears that whoever stole our car has been joyriding around in it all week. The neighbors said the person had driven it a lot. (Really? I mean what did they think they were doing? Didn't they think they would get caught? Who just drives around a stolen car to run their errands or whatever? Strange, strange.) So at this point Zack is thinking, okay so they are going to figure out who it is and arrest them right? I mean it would seem that the neighbors either know who the person is, or at least they could pick them out in a line up for sure. But when Zack got there all the police said was to check the car and see if anything valuable was missing and then he could just take the car. Ummm.....really? I mean who knows who this person is, what if they had come out guns a blazing while Zack is getting in the car? I mean that's unlikely, but still.....and there was no mention of even trying to catch the person at all, even though they were probably standing right in front of their apartment!!! What??? Really? I mean it was car theft, isn't that a pretty big deal?
We all thought that was strange. So Zack checked the car. Of course he never really left anything of value in the car because he can't always lock his car since the outside lock doesn't work on one side and the other side often jams. So he just doesn't leave anything in there, except garbage. Which the person who stole the car had neatly cleaned his car and put it all in a big trash bag that was sitting in the back seat. How kind of them to clean up his car for him!! ha, ha
However, Zack was devastated to find that they had taken his Cup O'Noodles that had been in there. How dare they!! So rude. ha, ha. But he didn't think that would count as a legit compliant for the police, so he kept that to himself. (Later we did realize that they had thrown out a booster seat we had for Oliver. That I am kind of mad about.) And of course Zack had just filled up his car with gas right before it was stolen and it was on empty when he got it back. Not cool, don't people know how much gas is these days?
They also left a little present for Zack- an ashtray full of ashes, and a car that wreaks like cigarettes. Gross.
So anyway. That's the story. The glorious Chariot is back where she belongs. She seems to be happy to be reunited with us and of course we with her. She may be old, but at least she runs, well, most of the time.
But we are thinking, how easy would it be for that person to come back and steal it again? Zack has had a few suggestions that he should get "The Club" for his car. Somehow it just seems kind of silly for a 21 yr. old car, but hey, maybe it's not a bad idea.
I guess we owe the police of Craziville a big thanks, but hopefully they aren't always so cavalier about all their cases. In the end I guess it's all worked out......But does anyone else find it all strange? We certainly do.
8 comments:
Ok- that's just WEIRD! I can't wait to tell Lee this story and get his "cop" opinion. Yes- very, very strange. But hilarious that they cleaned it up!! hahahaha. Don't know what to tell you! But I'm glad she's back with ya!
I knew it would wreak of cigarettes -- I'm not sure why everyone who steals cars smokes like a chimney, but they do!
Hey, this is Lee on Sarah's account. I wanted to help clarify this practice by police. I'm not excusing the practice, but explaining the process as what has developed in recent years. First, theft of vehicles happens rather frequently in America. Most vehicles are stolen, then traded for crack cocaine or other drugs to a second party. If the recipient is nearby, they will drive it for a month or two (knowing it is stolen, but ready to abandon at a moments notice). Second, it's rather hard to prosecute someone for theft of motor vehicle unless you have video of them taking it, or catch them in the act. Most people caught in stolen vehicles are second-hand recipients due to the drug trade issues. Then, the charge would be theft by receiving or receiving stolen vehicle, which the prosecution must show they knew it was stolen. All the driver of your vehicle had to say is 'I didn't know it was stolen - I gave 200.00 for it. Again, difficult to prosecute. (This explains why vehicles are handed off, traded, or moved to another state and put on craigslist). Third, forensics are near impossible to get off a vehicle. Due to issues 1 through 3, most police procedures cut to the chase and just return the vehicle to the owner in the most easiest means. I'm sorry if that's cynical, but that's the law enf. process or reaction to the legal system and criminal element trade in vehicles of today. You receiving your vehicle without damage or stolen items (sans cup of noodles) is a rarity.
Leave it to Lee to write a book. But it makes sense when he explains it. :)
Thanks for the insight Lee. You make very good points. When the car was stolen and we were filling out a report, the police officer did say, "we'll find your car and arrest whoever stole it." But the way he said it I could tell he really didn't "feel" it. I guess I now know why!
So glad the car is back in the proper hands. I'm suggesting a club for sure . . . and maybe you could keep a live cougar in the back seat just to be safe.
cRAZY!! I'm glad you got it back...how weird that the police didn't want to do anything to the person who stole it though?! I guess you could say it's a happy ending.
so so crazy!!!!!!
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