Is someone trying to steal my car?
Discussion
Odd situation yesterday teatime. I'm about to sit down to eat when I get a VERY loud knock on the door, to be faced with a dodgy-looking bloke (dressed like a chav, half his teeth missing), who asked me in a strong Irish accent whether I wanted to sell him my Alfa, as he 'wanted to race it' and 'it didn't look like I used it'.
I told him, obviously, that it wasn't for sale and sent him on his way.
Two dodgy things though - it's true, I don't use it every day and there are usually a couple of cars parked in front of it, but you'd only notice that if you'd been recconnoitering the house for a week.
Secondly, and this isn't in any way intended as a racist observation, but there aren't many Irish people living in my area with the exception of a notorious Mafia-style criminal gang, based about five miles away, whose leader recently escaped from prison.
I responded soon after by bolting on a hefty wheel-lock and turning the alarm up to full whack.
Is he trying to nick it? I've heard tales of tough classic saloons being towed straight off people's drives, to wind up expired on banger racing tracks. A mate of mine lost a Mk1 Granada this way. With fewer than 1000 155s left on UK roads, I'm keen to keep this in good nick and will only sell it to an Alfista in any case.
Has anyone had similar experiences?
I told him, obviously, that it wasn't for sale and sent him on his way.
Two dodgy things though - it's true, I don't use it every day and there are usually a couple of cars parked in front of it, but you'd only notice that if you'd been recconnoitering the house for a week.
Secondly, and this isn't in any way intended as a racist observation, but there aren't many Irish people living in my area with the exception of a notorious Mafia-style criminal gang, based about five miles away, whose leader recently escaped from prison.
I responded soon after by bolting on a hefty wheel-lock and turning the alarm up to full whack.
Is he trying to nick it? I've heard tales of tough classic saloons being towed straight off people's drives, to wind up expired on banger racing tracks. A mate of mine lost a Mk1 Granada this way. With fewer than 1000 155s left on UK roads, I'm keen to keep this in good nick and will only sell it to an Alfista in any case.
Has anyone had similar experiences?
id look at cheap wheel clamps & have a gd think about home security just to be on the safe side! 
. If he really wanted to steal id, i would have thought he would have done so without showing you his face first. Still, better safe then sorry.
Maybe write down any distinguishing features/a description of him whilst its fresh in your mind, just in case the car disappears?
. If he really wanted to steal id, i would have thought he would have done so without showing you his face first. Still, better safe then sorry.Maybe write down any distinguishing features/a description of him whilst its fresh in your mind, just in case the car disappears?
Andehh said:
id look at cheap wheel clamps & have a gd think about home security just to be on the safe side! . If he really wanted to steal id, i would have thought he would have done so without showing you his face first. Still, better safe then sorry.
He wouldn't have been able to as there was another car parked in the way. I really wouldn't have been surprised if he'd 'asked for a test drive', waited for us to move the Citroen, jumped in the Alfa and disappeared.. If he really wanted to steal id, i would have thought he would have done so without showing you his face first. Still, better safe then sorry.If he was a member of a gang he wouldn't have given a s
t if I recognised his face or not.
How could he NOT be trying to steal that old classic???
Its a common scam. See an expensive old classic worth upwards of £300, decide you are going to make a mafia style heist and have it away- so cunningly ask the owner if he wants to sell it!!!
I see no other possibility than organised crime.
Oh, actually- there is one other possibility. That he noticed you didn't use it and thought he might be able to buy it cheaply so he asked. BUt that is a massively unlikely scenario given the weight of evidence for organised crime
Did he not offer to tarmac your drive? "Ah to be sure, we'll lay you a lovely tarmac drive, so we will."
On a slightly serious note he may have been ensuring that you were busy at the front door whilst his mate was round the back of your house looking for open doors/open windows/car keys etc etc etc.
On a slightly serious note he may have been ensuring that you were busy at the front door whilst his mate was round the back of your house looking for open doors/open windows/car keys etc etc etc.
blindswelledrat said:
How could he NOT be trying to steal that old classic???
Its a common scam. See an expensive old classic worth upwards of £300, decide you are going to make a mafia style heist and have it away- so cunningly ask the owner if he wants to sell it!!!
I see no other possibility than organised crime.
Oh, actually- there is one other possibility. That he noticed you didn't use it and thought he might be able to buy it cheaply so he asked. BUt that is a massively unlikely scenario given the weight of evidence for organised crime
You've just had a visit from an opportunist pikey. No more, no less.
Twincam16 said:
I told him, obviously, that it wasn't for sale and sent him on his way.
I love that line - it conjures up Bertie Wooster-esque images of a tradesman being asked to leave with a flea in his earbut I love this one better
Twincam16 profile said:
Why?
Tarquini/Warwick, BTCC, 1994, that's why.
maybe he just wanted to take her by the neck and spank her up a B roadTarquini/Warwick, BTCC, 1994, that's why.
Edited by limpsfield on Monday 17th May 12:13
I think it'd be strange to show you his face if he was planning on robbing it. He might have been doing the distraction thing mentioned or seeing if you were home but he might just be a fan of the car & has noticed it's not being used much & was trying to buy it on the cheap. I'd have done the same thing with the alarm etc & take that extra bit of care with regards to home security but there's every chance he was just after a (legit) bargain
I have heard of this happening shortly before a theft before, think it was a transit or something last time.
I had an 'odd' visit shortly before my Astra Gte was stolen years ago.
They are brazen, they don't care if they are seen.
By knocking on your door they:
(a) Find out if the property is regularly occupied.
(b) Can spot if keys etc. are left near the door but perhaps out of view.
(c) Can judge the level of opposition you are likely to put up if you catch them in the act.
I would say you are very sensible to take extra care.
I had an 'odd' visit shortly before my Astra Gte was stolen years ago.
They are brazen, they don't care if they are seen.
By knocking on your door they:
(a) Find out if the property is regularly occupied.
(b) Can spot if keys etc. are left near the door but perhaps out of view.
(c) Can judge the level of opposition you are likely to put up if you catch them in the act.
I would say you are very sensible to take extra care.
A few years ago, I bought a non-running, ancient, old Shogun to restore and turn into the ultimate surfing wagon. I didn't, of course, and it sat in my parents' driveway for a year or two growing rustier.
One day a chap knocked at their door and when my dad answered, explained that he was from a remote Scottish island which didn't need an MOT but he passed their house regularly for work and had noticed it sitting there and if it turned over, he was prepared to lob a few hundred quid at them to take it away. Of course, sensing the obvious danger, we turned him away and called the Police - a lucky escape, I'm sure you'll agree...
One day a chap knocked at their door and when my dad answered, explained that he was from a remote Scottish island which didn't need an MOT but he passed their house regularly for work and had noticed it sitting there and if it turned over, he was prepared to lob a few hundred quid at them to take it away. Of course, sensing the obvious danger, we turned him away and called the Police - a lucky escape, I'm sure you'll agree...
I recently had a visit from an old lady purporting to be from the parish magazine but I had my suspicions since she was rather crone-like & now that I think about it she was looking very closely at a beautiful old pair of secateurs that belong to my wife which had been left in the garden.( She was obviously too crafty to actually mention them in case it made me suspicious).
Should I buy a rottweiller do you think?
Should I buy a rottweiller do you think?
I once saw a late 1970s (i think) accord sat on a drive near my mums. Looked in pretty good nick except for the layer of green mold growing on it. It never moved
I always wanted to knock and as if they would consider selling it as I fancied it as a project. Never did and it's gone now.
I wouldn't have nicked it if they said no.
I always wanted to knock and as if they would consider selling it as I fancied it as a project. Never did and it's gone now.
I wouldn't have nicked it if they said no.
My kind elderly neighbor agreed to feed our cats while we were away at the weekend.
I've since been struck with anxiety knowing that whilst in my house she could have observered the exact location of valuables to pass on to her criminal friends which I assume she has, being old and all that.
Rightly, I marched round there and demanded my keys back, screaming "You foul stinking old criminal hag" at her as I departed.
Locks changed.
I've since been struck with anxiety knowing that whilst in my house she could have observered the exact location of valuables to pass on to her criminal friends which I assume she has, being old and all that.
Rightly, I marched round there and demanded my keys back, screaming "You foul stinking old criminal hag" at her as I departed.
Locks changed.
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