Car got broken into, head unit stolen arghhh F....

[DarkThinker]

UPDATE

Yes sir, Mr DarkThinker has been keeping a watch out of his window 24/7 eyeing his car with a defective Radar Detector as bait on display in the wind shield. I have been waiting for three days for this to happen again. Yesterday I was writing some code like the insomniac that I am way into the early morning of today. The light in my home-office was on, it's always on because I am always up. Until @ 6:30 AM my ears picked up some barely audible steps down below. I immediately shut my lights off so that I can can see what is outside, apparently me shutting the lights off tipped off the burglar, I suddenly saw him running across my drive way. I like a raging maniac run down the stairs in 1 microsecond grabbed my Aluminium baseball bat and busted my front door wide open and ran after him.

Fortunately for that punkass piece of crap that stole my 6 months long project he was saved from me hitting a home run with his head and the beating of his lifetime had it not been for a driver that was waiting for him in a Ford "Escape" (Ironically Enough). I am now taking new measures, I am going to bring the security of Fort Nox itself to my house and car, my neighbourhood is not as good as it used to be I guess.

Additionally I took out my Marksman Sling Shot from my basement. Next time that dumbass strolls by he is getting some nickel mass in his body for sure. My family is scared of the situation and I am not having some good for nothing asswipe ruin the peace of mind of my family.

Also I am considering getting a GPS tracker and embedding it in a bag and leaving it by my car so that he picks it up and I send the coordinates to the police..what do you guys think I am missing?

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This is the first time EVER that this happens to me, someone (who I hope burns in hell eternally) broke into my commuter and stole my head unit a one JVC KD-G510. I just wish it was only that I wouldn't care much otherwise, he also popped the trunk open and VOILA grabbed a small bag that had a JUST finished advanced project prototype that I have personally developed and been hard at work on since May. Ironically Monday was the day I was planning on presenting it to some interested people

I am just glad that the window visor on the driver's side (which I am sure was in the lockpick's way) was the only thing that was broken in the car, no door locks no windows pheeew.

Another surprising thing is that neither my Cobra Radar Detector NOR my Sansa Clip 2GB were considered tempting enough for the guy hmmmm A valuable amount of IP is in that prototype so that could be a motive behind the theft with the radio being a cover-up but I am not sure. I filed a police report hours later.

Both my home and car comprehensive deductible are $500 so no coverage for me on either the bag nor the head unit...

* Lesson learned:

- If your area has been historically very safe over the years it's only going to get worse
- If your faceplate is removable STOP forgetting to actually remove it
- If anything that matters to you is in the car you are begging to have it stolen.

For the alarm, I just need a basic system, remote trunk open function would be a big plus

For the car starter I don't know, just one that does the job (the car is manual though)...

BTW: The Car is a 2 Dr 1996 Honda Accord LX

 

[HiTek21]

can't really recommend a headunit but I would suggest any of the DEI (Viper, Clifford, Python, Hornet) 2 way page alarm systems. Clifford 12.5x or Viper 5002 are good units.

 

[cheesehead]

A lot of high-end Alpine stuff is very highly recommended, but it's not cheap and often doesn't even have any internal amplification.

A popular option is to take the faceplate off of a cheap stereo and make a "dummy" faceplate to cover the head unit.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
A lot of high-end Alpine stuff is very highly recommended, but it's not cheap and often doesn't even have any internal amplification.

A popular option is to take the faceplate off of a cheap stereo and make a "dummy" faceplate to cover the head unit.

Ya I am looking into Alpine, but as for my previous unit, it wasn't the faceplate the was stolen alone, it was the WHOLE SHIBANG I have a BIG void of space in the middle of my console!

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
A lot of high-end Alpine stuff is very highly recommended, but it's not cheap and often doesn't even have any internal amplification.

A popular option is to take the faceplate off of a cheap stereo and make a "dummy" faceplate to cover the head unit.

Ya I am looking into Alpine, but as for my previous unit, it wasn't the faceplate the was stolen alone, it was the WHOLE SHIBANG I have a BIG void of space in the middle of my console!

Heh, the idea is to cause any would-be thieves out "window shopping" to think you have a junk head unit in there, and move on to the next car. Not a bad idea if you've got something fancy you don't want stolen. Just removing the face doesn't really work, since 99% of the time the owner puts the face in the glove box (and thieves know this).

As for your options, you can compare all sorts of specs on Crutchfield...last I looked, they had a number of head units with the things you're looking for under $150. Quality name-brand HUs with a decent set of features can be had very cheaply nowadays. Everyone says Crutchfield is really expensive, but many things are pretty competitively priced - especially when you consider the free mounting kits they throw in.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
A lot of high-end Alpine stuff is very highly recommended, but it's not cheap and often doesn't even have any internal amplification.

A popular option is to take the faceplate off of a cheap stereo and make a "dummy" faceplate to cover the head unit.

Ya I am looking into Alpine, but as for my previous unit, it wasn't the faceplate the was stolen alone, it was the WHOLE SHIBANG I have a BIG void of space in the middle of my console!

Heh, the idea is to cause any would-be thieves out "window shopping" to think you have a junk head unit in there, and move on to the next car. Not a bad idea if you've got something fancy you don't want stolen. Just removing the face doesn't really work, since 99% of the time the owner puts the face in the glove box (and thieves know this).

As for your options, you can compare all sorts of specs on Crutchfield...last I looked, they had a number of head units with the things you're looking for under $150. Quality name-brand HUs with a decent set of features can be had very cheaply nowadays. Everyone says Crutchfield is really expensive, but many things are pretty competitively priced - especially when you consider the free mounting kits they throw in.

Thanks for the advice GTA, I checked Crutchfield, I found an excellent suggestion from them, the SONY CDX-GT630UI but they where out of stock so I jumped over to EBAY, used the %30 Microsoft Live discount and got it for $98 Yaaay....the reviews are looking solid for this head unit all over the board, it has USB and AUX and the colors are up to my taste, thanks again, I will have to get the receiver kit from Crutchfield though but the wire harness I'll get from Ebay because it's dirt cheap there.

 

[DarkThinker]

Yes sir, Mr DarkThinker has been keeping a watch out of his window 24/7 eyeing his car with a defective Radar Detector as bait on display in the wind shield. I have been waiting for three days for this to happen again. Yesterday I was writing some code like the insomniac that I am way into the early morning of today. The light in my home-office was on, it's always on because I am always up. Until @ 6:30 AM my ears picked up some barely audible steps down below. I immediately shut my lights off so that I can can see what is outside, apparently me shutting the lights off tipped off the burglar, I suddenly saw him running across my drive way. I like a raging maniac run down the stairs in 1 microsecond grabbed my Aluminium baseball bat and busted my front door wide open and ran after him.

Fortunately for that punkass piece of crap that stole my 6 months long project he was saved from me hitting a home run with his head and the beating of his lifetime had it not been for a driver that was waiting for him in a Ford "Escape" (Ironically Enough). I am now taking new measures, I am going to bring the security of Fort Nox itself to my house and car, my neighbourhood is not as good as it used to be I guess.

Additionally I took out my Marksman Sling Shot from my basement. Next time that dumbass strolls by he is getting some nickel mass in his body for sure. My family is scared of the situation and I am not having some good for nothing asswipe ruin the peace of mind of my family.

Also I am considering getting a GPS tracker and embedding it in a bag and leaving it by my car so that he picks it up and I send the coordinates to the police..what do you guys think I am missing?

 

[Horsepower]

Load the gun and GET A ROPE!

 

[DarkThinker]

I don't need a gun for some lame ass punk, just my bat and a piece of cloth to put in his mouth so he wakes not the neighbours up

 

[boomerang]

I understand you're upset, but the fact that you didn't catch him probably saved you from doing time in jail.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I understand you're upset, but the fact that you didn't catch him probably saved you from doing time in jail.

Yes you are right, I guess that is the flip side of that coin. I just was so filled with so much fury, the theft of the prototype that I had spent months on perfecting has been a major set back in my work, it got me into so much complication, the least I could have let this punk get off with is an epic ass beating at least involving no less than 10 broken bones, some people just don't give a crap about how they ruin other people's lives with their crap.

But now I have a more reasonable scheme in my head, I want the police to follow him home and I am going to setup a GPS tracker trap for him and his buddies in the area haha, someone must get in trouble for messing around with me.

Cheers!

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: boomerang
I understand you're upset, but the fact that you didn't catch him probably saved you from doing time in jail.

Yes you are right, I guess that is the flip side of that coin. I just was so filled with so much fury, the theft of the prototype that I had spent months on perfecting has been a major set back in my work, it got me into so much complication, the least I could have let this punk get off with is an epic ass beating at least involving no less than 10 broken bones, some people just don't give a crap about how they ruin other people's lives with their crap.

But now I have a more reasonable scheme in my head, I want the police to follow him home and I am going to setup a GPS tracker trap for him and his buddies in the area haha, someone must get in trouble for messing around with me.

Cheers!

I think that's a good idea. I hope the police will take an interest. I've had my home broken into twice. I live in a semi-rural somewhat upscale neighborhood so it's not something I would have expected. I know the feelings you're going through all too well.

I'm convinced that drugs are behind the majority of these types of crimes.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: boomerang
I understand you're upset, but the fact that you didn't catch him probably saved you from doing time in jail.

Yes you are right, I guess that is the flip side of that coin. I just was so filled with so much fury, the theft of the prototype that I had spent months on perfecting has been a major set back in my work, it got me into so much complication, the least I could have let this punk get off with is an epic ass beating at least involving no less than 10 broken bones, some people just don't give a crap about how they ruin other people's lives with their crap.

But now I have a more reasonable scheme in my head, I want the police to follow him home and I am going to setup a GPS tracker trap for him and his buddies in the area haha, someone must get in trouble for messing around with me.

Cheers!

I think that's a good idea. I hope the police will take an interest. I've had my home broken into twice. I live in a semi-rural somewhat upscale neighborhood so it's not something I would have expected. I know the feelings you're going through all too well.

I'm convinced that drugs are behind the majority of these types of crimes.

Absolutely, what else would drive a kid as young as 19 years old to jeopardizing his life for some worthless crap like a stereo here and a bat in the face there and who knows a cap in the ass over there. I am very concerned, I didn't think I would see this crap in my area any time soon,who knows, maybe the economic crisis is starting to show it's ugly
face. I never thought of considering a car alarm for my daily driver, but now what you know I am browsing around for the best 2-way pager system for the money and I am even considering a basic system for my house too.

 

[boomerang]

I put a monitored alarm in my home. I've got a sign in the front yard showing that there is an alarm, stickers on the doors and a fake camera at the front door.

I really hate having the sign, stickers and camera. It makes me feel like I'm projecting an aura of paranoia. But after being broken into twice, I feel I have to do something to keep the dummies from doing it again. I have to do something to make them move on to another residence.

I say dummies because any thief that could be termed as being a "pro", will know that there is nothing with enough value worth stealing from my home. The dummies want anything they can quickly carry out to sell for pennies on the dollar to get their next high.

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: boomerang
I understand you're upset, but the fact that you didn't catch him probably saved you from doing time in jail.

Yes you are right, I guess that is the flip side of that coin. I just was so filled with so much fury, the theft of the prototype that I had spent months on perfecting has been a major set back in my work, it got me into so much complication, the least I could have let this punk get off with is an epic ass beating at least involving no less than 10 broken bones, some people just don't give a crap about how they ruin other people's lives with their crap.

But now I have a more reasonable scheme in my head, I want the police to follow him home and I am going to setup a GPS tracker trap for him and his buddies in the area haha, someone must get in trouble for messing around with me.

Cheers!

Punks are almost certainly better armed than you, be careful not to get yourself killed over some electroincs.

 

[evident]

get the pioneer premier deh-980BT it's really great

 

[darom]

DarkThinker, what a coincidence - the year was 2006, Honda Accord EX 1996, JVC head-unit. I loved that MP-3 player. I forgot to remove the face plate that night. That was the only time I forgot to do it and it was stolen! The bastard cut the rubber weatherstrip on the driver's side door, used a stick to touch the electric lock switch and voila - sesame! The removal was clean with no scratch marks. He left a bunch of fingerprints on the outside of the driver's door which the cop picked up the next day.

I hope one day his fingerprints will surface up and my stereo is going to be his 3rd strike.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: darom
DarkThinker, what a coincidence - the year was 2006, Honda Accord EX 1996, JVC head-unit. I loved that MP-3 player. I forgot to remove the face plate that night. That was the only time I forgot to do it and it was stolen! The bastard cut the rubber weatherstrip on the driver's side door, used a stick to touch the electric lock switch and voila - sesame! The removal was clean with no scratch marks. He left a bunch of fingerprints on the outside of the driver's door which the cop picked up the next day.

I hope one day his fingerprints will surface up and my stereo is going to be his 3rd strike.

Damn, the guy too used that trick on my car, except he didn't cut anything he just found out how to force something through, that explains why he force removed my weather window visor. I am just glad he knew how to do that instead of breaking my window or door lock (I have a $500 deductible ). But yeah it is a coincidence how both are 1996 models and both had JVC head units in. I liked my head unit a lot, I got it for a nice price back then in 2004 and it did all I needed. Well at least the new Sony CDX-GT630UI unit (which I have just got in the mail today) has more features and is cheaper than my previous one, I was really in a need for using a USB drive instead of the AUX with my small MP3 player, but still wanted to have an AUX just in case.

Originally posted by: evident
get the pioneer premier deh-980BT it's really great

The DEH-980BT is Nice and is loaded with features, but @ $570 I just had to go with the Sony CDX-GT630UI, which after a discount I was able to get it brand new off Ebay for $98. In addition I like simpler displays on my player like the Sony one has, heck even the software media player I have on my computers has a simple layout and theme like that. However the big plus the Pioneer has is it's awesome support for A2DP and AVRCP tat is excellent, also the ability to function as a headset is very nice too, but all of these features I would consider a PLUS but I wouldn't pay much extra for

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: boomerang

I think that's a good idea. I hope the police will take an interest. I've had my home broken into twice. I live in a semi-rural somewhat upscale neighborhood so it's not something I would have expected. I know the feelings you're going through all too well.

I'm convinced that drugs are behind the majority of these types of crimes.

They usually are. Cocaine or meth withdrawl is not pretty.