I cannot believe the words I am about to type…
Sometime in the very wee hours of Sunday morning, car capers rode down our street and stopped at Stefan’s car.
And then they apparently worked their car theft magic and were probably inside and driving away in about a minute.
Chances are, we’ll never see that BWM 750i ever again.
Stefan is definitely in mourning because he really loved that car. Used or not, it was his favorite car yet. And he’d only had it back for one week after it was in the shop, being repaired due to the damage caused in the accident on our street a couple weeks ago.
Apparently they didn’t want my cute little Defender with it’s cracked tail light (thanks to things that came flying out of the car wreck mentioned above), the torn mud flap that has yet to be replaced and it’s rusty screws that hold it together. They probably thought it was 20 years old from the state of it. But at least the capers left us with one car to drive.
According to the police, BMW 7-series and X5 autos are currently being targeted in the Frankfurt area. Thefts totaling over €17 million have been reported so far in the past week. Apparently there’s a very big order out for these BMW’s right now and they’re all being traced via the OnStar-like systems to Poland. But it’s doubtful that the authorities there will actually manage to track these cars down before they are shipped off to who knows where.
BMW dealerships in the area clearly knew that this was going on because one of our friends mentioned that she’d heard from her own BMW dealer in Frankfurt that there had been a lot of thefts lately. Obviously they want the cars to get stolen so they can sell new ones. But really, I think they could have given BMW owners just a small heads up. They send us letters about every useless event that they can conjure up — but not something serious like this.
I have to wonder if maybe iPods are cursed. When we had our major accident, we had an iPod in there. We bought another iPod on our own dime since the insurance didn’t cover the first one…and that was in the BMW last night. It’s also not covered…and we’ve vowed not to buy another one. They just seem to bring bad karma. At least the thieves had some good music to jam out to while they drove like the wind to Poland…
Last night we watched Gone in 60 Seconds in honor of the boost. It’s our favorite movie about car theft EVER. All I have to say now, is “it’s done…it’s finished.”
Ever had a car stolen? This was definitely our first! Although I did have a car very badly vandalized once…
I didn’t have a car stolen, but I accidentally left my purse inside my car, at church, and my 2 month old car was broken into. It sucked. All my cash was in there and some gift cards. No ipod though. That was with me. Go figure.
Hopefully you all will be as back to normal as you can be after this. It absolutely sucks when something like this happens.
Oh that’s awful. Thieves are just total jerks!!
When I was in high school, someone broke into my car while in my driveway, apparently after waiting half the night for me to come home. I was totally heartbroken because they really messed up my car and took my brand new stereo…then some kid came into school bragging about it. What did the local police do? Nada. So frustrating!!
Sorry for your loss! That is a beautiful car. I could never have one because of our gravel road – ok and money, but I would love it. Please share my sympathy with Stefan.
Honestly, the first suspect for me would be an employee of the shop that did the recent work. They knew where to find it. But I am a conspiracy type person and not a detective. Besides, that doesn’t really help solve the theft. But if I could help I would!
Thanks Sandy! We did think about the dealership where he’d just had the work done. But they also could have pinpointed him when he went to the gas station earlier that night. We found out this morning that an X5 in our neighborhood was also stolen so I have to wonder if maybe someone from the DMV isn’t in on it. But so many people park on the street here that’s it’s really just a matter of driving around a bit. I think Stefan gets a little more irritated about it as the days pass. Plus it’s just totally inconvenient for us now because he has to take the train which runs at horrible times, and the insurance won’t do anything for another 30 days. Maybe the car will turn up gain by then…but I have a feeling after it hit the Polish border, all hope was pretty much lost.
Never had a car stolen but I am SO SORRY to hear about yours!! 🙁 And just after it was repaired too! Major bummer. Sandy’s comment about an employee of the shop is an interesting theory – I’ve heard of things like that happening. Personally, I’m pulling for something amazing to happen and it be returned to you, but in the meantime, I guess you can just be thankful they only had sticky fingers enough for one car! I really hope this week is better for you guys.
Wie ein Schade! Uggg, really so sorry to hear this. I am hoping in the goodness of people for you right now, and that a lead or two might turn up for the car.
I swear STefan just can’t catch a break with is car! I bet if he would have just purchased a Ford Focus he wouldn’t be having these issues 🙂 Give him a hug from his stateside buddies!
He’s heavily considering just buying a junker for a while. But after he got so used to having the BMW, it’s going to be a harsh adjustment I think. The waiting and unknowns are the worst part. And it’s just so dang inconvenient now.
I can’t even believe I’m reading this! I am so sorry for you guys and the never ending string of vehicle related stress in your lives!
Let’s hope this ends here and now!!
Hugs from ochsenfurt, tj
Oh man!! Sorry about your loss! That totally sucks! I had my car stolen…from my driveway…in the middle of the day…in Houston. I was in Phoenix at the time and my mom just left my keys on the kitchen counter (visible from the back door). The crackhead (yes, he was a crackhead…more on that in a minute) was just able to get the keys because my dog started barking her head off and it scared him, thank goodness!
So, he made off with my car, decided it would be awesome to cruise around with the emergency brake on and drive over a few curbs while headed to the crack area of Houston, where he was pulled over…well, not really pulled over because he was parked in the middle of the street doing drugs. The cops took him in, but then RELEASED him roughly 30 minutes before my mom was able to file the police report. Yeah…we got the car back, but had to have all 4 brakes replaced, the oil pan replaced and have the car cleaned by professionals because there was some blood in there. YUCK! But, at least I got my car back…and then my dad totaled it a couple months after I moved to Germany.
Anywho, it totally sucks that you guys are going through this…hopefully the insurance will dish out the money so Stefan can get another…or go for an Audi…those are sweet cars too. 😉
You just have the wildest stories! My guess is that even after the cleaning, you were still rather grossed out about the car lol. Stefan was telling me something about people stealing cars, taking them to Poland and then filming porn in them. When done, they’d leave the stained funky car to be found. Not like you’d really want it back after that!
Sorry about the car! I haven’t had a car stolen, but in the German town we lived in previously, several BMW’s and Mercedes were broken into and the entire steering wheel stolen for the airbags. Hope everything works out.
I am sending some “good mojo” your way!!!
That sucks! So sorry to hear that. My car was stolen once too – out of my garage! Although it was not near as nice as yours.
I also have a funny story about that. Said Robber used it as a getaway car while he robbed houses. The car was eventually recovered.. in the middle of a robbery and then was processed as evidence so it took me forever to get my car back! There is more!
When it went to court, he claimed my father was having an affair with this other woman who told him he could borrow the car. Needless to say, this “convincing story” did not make it past the judge.. 🙂
Wow. That’s quite a story! Clearly the guy was pretty good at thinking on his feet — but totally forgot that the story would be checked. Doh 😉