Another GOLF R Stolen - Surrey 13/11/14

[R32GUY]

Thought I would share the sad news that my Golf R was stolen from our house in Carshalton in Surrey - be warned if you leave your car in front of your property there appears to be an organised gang out there looking for these cars to take!

Our house was burgled for the keys at approx 4pm on Thursday 13th November, they avoided taking anything else apart from taking keys for cars when they found them and were determined to gain entry to the property based on the amount of prize marks on the windows and patio doors until they made their entry.

Posted on the stolen VW thread on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015280253...

Car had a little over 1200 miles - 5 door DSG with sun roof, beige nappa, sat nav and every other option / keyless / adapative chassis and cruise etc etc.
Reg at time of theft was VW04GUY but no doubt this was swapped soon after theft.

Edited by R32GUY on Tuesday 18th November 10:28

[tazco]

Sorry to the hear the bad news... Fingers crossed they find it... I'm assuming that you have got gap insurance??

[R32GUY]

Yes I had the gap insurance thankfully, I had planned on ordering the new RS3 but my focus is now on other things since this event.

So glad my older classic car wasn't taken.
I'm also surprised how widespread this is and how the underworld get visibility of where these cars are parked / owned.

[wilbo83]

R32GUY said:

Yes I had the gap insurance thankfully, I had planned on ordering the new RS3 but my focus is now on other things since this event.

So glad my older classic car wasn't taken.
I'm also surprised how widespread this is and how the underworld get visibility of where these cars are parked / owned.

Sorry to hear your news. Given the frequency of these thefts, it sounds like they may have access to owner details or something like that.

[RS Grant]

Not good at all, I assume that it'll be making its way out of the country... I didn't realise the R was attracting so much unwanted attention.


Cheers,
Grant

[SMB]

sad to hear, but they probably just followed you home, or saw as they drove by. Always worth watching whats behind you as you head home.

I doubt it will go abroad , more likely stolen as a get away car esp 5 door models, only hope is it's found soon whilst they leave it somewhere to cool off.

[Gio G]

wilbo83 said:

Sorry to hear your news. Given the frequency of these thefts, it sounds like they may have access to owner details or something like that.

OP sorry to hear the news, I hope it gets sorted. Out of interest, how frequent? This is the second theft I have heard of.

Thanks G

[Atmospheric]

Sorry to hear and hope it gets recovered.

It's the internet talk about certain cars which causes this, I think.

[TNJ]

Sorry to hear this - mine went the same way and was a write off when recovered by the police. Insurance company have now settled the claim and paid the lease company in full so no extra needed from me - GAP insurance also not needed but it was there as a back-up. Took exactly two months from the date of theft to getting confirmation from the lease company that all finance is settled.

I hope everything gets sorted out as smoothly for you.

With regards to how they identify cars to steal, I do not think it is a matter of the thieves getting the names of owners - mine was on a lease deal so the owner and registered keeper was the lease company.

I have now got a burglar alarm and a London lock on the house - very difficult for someone to get in - and we don't leave the car keys in the house any longer, even if the car is on the drive. It has put me off hot VWs a bit - I have had a Golf GTI, VR6 and the R and both of the last two were stolen.

[R32GUY]

TNJ said:

Sorry to hear this - mine went the same way and was a write off when recovered by the police. Insurance company have now settled the claim and paid the lease company in full so no extra needed from me - GAP insurance also not needed but it was there as a back-up. Took exactly two months from the date of theft to getting confirmation from the lease company that all finance is settled.

I hope everything gets sorted out as smoothly for you.

With regards to how they identify cars to steal, I do not think it is a matter of the thieves getting the names of owners - mine was on a lease deal so the owner and registered keeper was the lease company.

I have now got a burglar alarm and a London lock on the house - very difficult for someone to get in - and we don't leave the car keys in the house any longer, even if the car is on the drive. It has put me off hot VWs a bit - I have had a Golf GTI, VR6 and the R and both of the last two were stolen.

Thanks

It's early days on my claim journey, but already going down the heightened security reaction (hindsight a wonderful thing!)
We have several VW's in our household, to some degree it's put me off having a more modern car now.... I had a desire to upgrade to the new MQB RS3 (I had the previous model for two happy years before falling in love with the Lapiz blue.

I guess the decision around tracking devices also comes up, but if a car is stolen I wouldn't want it back really just as a means to catch the gang. - I'd be devasted if my R32, mk1 or Karmann Ghia was taken.

Since posting on social media I have learnt of 4 other Golf R models being stolen in this way, the road we live in is not a thoroughfare either and I'm quite observant in terms of people following me.... My money is on the letterbox leaflet droppers for the local kebab shops.

[FurryExocet]

They've started using tiny trackers that they place on your car whilst you are out, they can then locate the vehicle at you home address later.

I would always advise getting a tracker, if they suspect one if fitted, they'll park up a few miles away and leave it for a few days. It might be worth having a drive around

We've been keeping an eye out for yours, but nothing so far

[SuperchargedVR6]

RS Grant said:

Not good at all, I assume that it'll be making its way out of the country... I didn't realise the R was attracting so much unwanted attention.

Is it not easier to nick them from their own countries? And be LHD, so not arousing suspicion?
Or is it just that this country is so slack on crime, it's like taking sweets from a baby?

Roll-on finger print entry.

[silentbrown]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Roll-on finger print entry.

Having your keys taken from you is one thing. Having your fingers removed is another...

[Gazzab]

TNJ said:

I have now got a burglar alarm and a London lock on the house - very difficult for someone to get in - and we don't leave the car keys in the house any longer, even if the car is on the drive. It has put me off hot VWs a bit - I have had a Golf GTI, VR6 and the R and both of the last two were stolen.

My logic is that if they are getting into my house then they will do more damage the harder it is to break in. Also, if the keys arent "relatively easy" to find them they will destroy half my house trying to find them and possibly take the opportunity to take things of more sentimental value.

[Kell]

I feel your pain.

We ended up getting a diesel A6 rather than an RS4 as I didn't want the car to make our house a target.

I'm not really sure what the solution to stopping it happening is, but the Police recommendation is to leave your keys somewhere easy to spot once they're in.

Unless you're the local pyscho and really want a fight or you've got your house rigged up like Kevin Mcallister, there's not really any point putting your family in danger for the sake of a car.

[RS Grant]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

RS Grant said:

Not good at all, I assume that it'll be making its way out of the country... I didn't realise the R was attracting so much unwanted attention.

Or is it just that this country is so slack on crime, it's like taking sweets from a baby?

I wouldn't bet against our screwed up justice system being one of the main reasons that criminals do what they do.

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Roll-on finger print entry.

Not for me... if bad people will risk breaking into my home for my car keys, then I want them to get hold of the keys as soon as possible to limit the chance of my family/dogs encountering them. So all of our keys are very visible when you come in.

Kell said:

I feel your pain.

We ended up getting a diesel A6 rather than an RS4 as I didn't want the car to make our house a target.

I'm not really sure what the solution to stopping it happening is, but the Police recommendation is to leave your keys somewhere easy to spot once they're in.

Unless you're the local pyscho and really want a fight or you've got your house rigged up like Kevin Mcallister, there's not really any point putting your family in danger for the sake of a car.

100% agree.


Cheers,
Grant

[wilbo83]

Gio G said:

OP sorry to hear the news, I hope it gets sorted. Out of interest, how frequent? This is the second theft I have heard of.

Thanks G

Fairly frequent...another one stolen last night...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[SuperchargedVR6]

silentbrown said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Roll-on finger print entry.

Having your keys taken from you is one thing. Having your fingers removed is another...

You've been watching too many gangster movies but if that is the level they're prepared to go to, then it's justification for keeping weapons in the house. And a f'ing big dog.

[RdictedVWR]

Keys locked away, house locked, car locked in garage, two Rottweilers and a border terrier in yard, mobile phone near my bed with itchy 999 fingers, feel sorry for people who can't lock their cars away, first thing we/I looked at when buying our property, hope you get it back pal.