Last night there was an attempt to steal my truck. The back window to the cab was apparently broken by throwing a steel towing hitch through it. Glass everywhere inside the cab. At this point, it doesn't appear they took much of anything.
This happened in the parking lot at work. I headed home around 4:35p. As I approached my truck I could see the hazard lights were on and the windshield wipers were full-wipe position. I could tell something was not right so knew not to touch anything. At first I could see little bits of broken dark tinted glass, but could not tell where it came from. The car parked next to me looked fine and did nothave tinted windows. I then peaked through the dark tinted driver-side window on my truck and could see a tow hitch and ball laying on the middle arm rest. I knew that wasn't mine. I then looked at the back window and could see a nice volleyball sized hole and the middle back window opened. This was a where they made thier entry.
Just then, the business park security pickup was making his rounds. I wived him down and he waved back. Then I waved at him to stop and he did. The older genetleman was very helpful in contact the local police department. He contacted his office using his handheld radio to report the incident where he was informed that a grounds keeper had reported rushing of two young teenagers.
I then opened the door, which was already unlocked, and began to visually inspect what damage was done. The steering column was ripped apart with the ignition key switch in several pieces on the floor infront of the drivers seat. From the steering column hung several wires and a small electrical plug. Two wires in this pug were apparently used to “hot-wire” the vehicle. I also noticed the transmission was in Drive. This tells me they had started the truck and tried to drive off. I later found out from the Dodge dealership that some trucks will shut down the engine if the ignition switch is destroyed or tampered with.
The police arrived within 15 minutes after my discovery and was very helpful. The business park manager, who had arrived about 30 minutes after my discovery. Shw was trying to clearly understand and gather information; over the radio, from the business park employee who had reported running of two teenagers earlier that day. The groundskeeper employee spoke spanish and his english was good, but not greate. Then business park manager, the police officer, and the security officer were trying to make sure they had a clear understanding of what had happened and when. I took a few attempts to clealy understand the events earlier that day, and to thank him for running them off. They could have taken the entire truck.
These two “criminals“ were described by the grounds keeper as about 16 years of age, hispanic, and roughly 5' 5“ tall. They left in a white van with a red stripe that ran along the side. I think I would like to meet them sometime. But, I'm probably better off forgetting about it.
Through all of this I was happy with the assistance I recieve from everyone involved. Thus fare I have had very little contact with my insurace company, American Family Insurance. My first impressions are not all that enthusiastic and I still hope for the best in getting good service from them. Although my hopes are high, my expectations are not. I hope to post additional comments about how my success with American Family Insurance. We shall see.
Update: American Family Insurance bobbled the ball for a day and a half. Then I contacted my agent directly and he “got it done.” Thanks Kent!