Nice set of rims, huh? Yeah, I think they're cool looking, too!
Too bad this happened.
Tori, a Burlington GO Transit customer, parked her car in her usual row at Burlington and went to work. She posted this pic to Twitter. I managed to see it and asked her to email me. I wrote back.
| from: | Cindy (Cj) Smith cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| to: | "Tori" | ||
| date: | Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 7:12 AM | ||
| subject: | Re: Burlington GO stolen car wheel |
Hi Tori
This is pretty crappy. Aside from transit security, have you filed a police report? Have you spoken with your insurance company and most importantly, aside from (text purposely censored; for privacy) are you getting any other compensation?! Insurance? Provided the deductible isn't a deterrent.
This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous that this happened and nobody saw anything. My husband is a mechanic, without air tools, it's quite an effort to do this but it's the cement block that throws me. It's one thing to pretend to change a tire as a ruse for theft, it's another to come that prepared.
Was it just the one tire? Can I ask the make, model and tire size?
Has anyone offered up any theories, should people be concerned who drive the same kind of car as you? Is that a Mazda? Also what year?
And lastly, can you tell me what time you left your car at and what time you arrived back at the station? Do you always park in the same spot?
When you have a chance, can you count today within a 300 meter radius, how many other models of cars just like yours parked near you?
I know these are a lot of questions but I'd like to get your story up today and all of these answers help piece the puzzle together and help motivate people to be on alert.
There (text purposely censored; for privacy), but come on? This isn't a garden variety theft.
| from: | Tori | ||
| to: | "Cindy (Cj) Smith" | ||
| date: | Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 1:40 PM | ||
| subject: | RE: Burlington GO stolen car wheel |
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your concern and help I really appreciate that.
Yes I did file a police report (text purposely censored; for privacy)
Was it just the one tire? Can I ask the make, model and tire size? Has anyone offered up any theories, should people be concerned who drive the same kind of car as you? Is that a Mazda? Also what year?
Just the one rim and tire was stolen and the rim is very specific to this un-common model Ford Focus ST (2013). I'm assuming this person has a Focus ST too and didn't want to pay the $600+tax to replace their rim. It's an 18 inch stock Focus ST rim and the tire is a low profile Eagle F1 worth about $250+tax so it's more likely they wanted the rim. Other theories are they wanted the tire and will get other matching ones form other cars or it was just a crime of opportunity and they will find buyers for each piece separately.
And lastly, can you tell me what time you left your car at and what time you arrived back at the station? Do you always park in the same spot? When you have a chance, can you count today within a 300 meter radius, how many other models of cars just like yours parked near you?
I left it on Monday July 21 at 8am to catch the 8:13 to Union, and I came back around 6pm (5:02 from Union). I park in the same spot 90% of the time yes, in a corner where it would be difficult (or impossible) for the entrance cameras to view.
I don't see many ST models around at all, I don't think I've ever seen one at Burlington GO. Once I saw a Fiesta ST but it's not the same rim.
The rims start off silver but I had mine painted matte black ($75 per wheel).
Did you see something?
Contact GO Transit Security at 1.877.297.0642
If there was ever a perfect argument for taking the bus to the station - this would be it.
ReplyDeleteI know, I KNOW CJ it's not for everyone because people live in areas not serviced by transit but I had to say it.
PS. I do like the rims.
I can't believe things like this happen. This is why we can't have nice things. I hope the a$$hole is found.
ReplyDelete@ Anon, I do agree with you about the buses.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame about the rim. Hopefully, if this person cannot be caught (and what really is the likelihood of that?) then at least people will be aware and maybe that person will be spared from a similar theft.
#@$%er's didn't even leave the bolts to put the spare on =/
ReplyDeleteBastards. Do you have locknuts?
ReplyDeleteDo now.
DeleteAsk go transit .. or request the police to obtain the security camera footage from the go station. This sh*t must stop. I had my factory car emblem stolen off my hood a while ago .. it made me stupid made ... can't imagine how passed this person is.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
ReplyDeleteI had my Honda Civic broken into at the Brampton GO Station twice. It had a Club on it.
Once attempt was through the sunroof.
There was no GPS or CD player to take.
The GO security didn't make any effort to check security tapes. I filed a police and insurance report.
Nothing ever happened.
Is there that much of a market for stolen hood emblems? Besides on the Simpsons, but in real life?
ReplyDeleteWhat a crappy thing. Hopefully, someone will be caught.
I had my hyundai accent stolen from the ajax station. A friend and me went through the mainly industrial area around the station and we found it missing the front seats and airbags. This was in 2001.
ReplyDeleteEven with the camera footage it was impossible to see the thief. He got in and drove away in less than 30 seconds. He was wearing a hoodie.
Go lots are parts stores for the assholes of the world.
All you can do is park near a camera if possible or close to the station.
As an aside, in 1997 i had the drive shaft stolen from my work truck while parked at scarborough centennial hospital! That was weird.
I would love to leave my precious at home, in the garage, where it's safe but I do in fact live where there is no transit service and it already takes me a 2 hour commute each way.
ReplyDeleteNo locking bolts at the time. I have them now but, they only add so much time to the effort and with no security thieves have all day of undisturbed thievery. The cinder block is still sitting there... Next time they won't even need to bring their own!
Safety enforcement assured me they would review the 10 hours of video but to expect it to take at least a few days.
Good tip George that's exactly what I plan to do from now on, park near a camera.
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible! I hope they catch whoever did this.
ReplyDeleteGo should have better security in it's lots. For years it has been a haven for car thiefs and vandals. I have had a stereo stolen out of my car (many many years ago). I heard a while back there were people stealing catalytic converters off cars.
This is one of the only times I am grateful I drive an old car to the GO train, with all the idiot parkers too.
Oh Tori, I'm so sorry that happened -- that really really sucks. They do have locking lug nuts that may make it more difficult for people to steal the rims - - http://www.mcgard.com/index.php/automotive-2/wheel-locks
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they would have prevented it, but maybe they make it annoying enough not for thieves to try?
Mine was stolen from Oriole Go Station on Aug 26. Park almost the same spot for the last 4-5 years. it is really sucks as there are only a few trains in the morning til 9:15'ish and the next train will be in the afternoon at 3:40. Thief has the whole 6 hours to do whatever they want. Plus the parking lot is under 401 which there is not much light there. Perfect for the crime to happen. Go officer is not helpful either. Not sure if there is even survelliance cameras.
ReplyDeleteI once had custom rims stolen from my car. A week later I went to pick up a check from the insurance company. I pulled in and blocked a car in, went inside and asked them to call police. My rims were on a car of another customer. Outside he offered me money to say I made a mistake. No way buddy, you're going to jail. It was priceless.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that front wheel were taken instead of rear since rear tire usually have more thread life left. But I guess, you park the car driving forward into the parking spot and thus front wheels are more hidden from view of those passing.
ReplyDelete