My Crappy Day...

[TommyP]

I just bought my '98 Nissan Pathfinder in September. Almost perfect condition and a steal for $4,750. A few issues, but very sound and pleasing to the eye. All that changed today.

Walking to my vehicle this morning I noticed it looked funny. It wasn't so funny when I got closer. Some shitehole rear-ended my parked car. Bent frame and body all messed up. Both rear doors are popped open slightly and the rear hatch won't open at all.

They didn't even leave a note.

Or did they?

The Dumbass dropped his front license plate at the scene and I now have it in my possession. If your vehicle plate number is "722 7863 (IL)" expect a visit from the Chicago Police Deptarment's Hit & Run Investigation Unit. I believe you committed a felony, so jail time might be in order.

And probably a nice little lawsuit filed by my insurance company. So, just give me your bank account information now to save time.

Sincerely,

Your Worst Nightmare

[Telfer]

How awesome that they lost their plate. Talk about lucking out dude.

Sorry about your car, that shit is ridiculous.

This morning someone just anonymously emailed the whole directory of 600 people I do IT for with my personal email address saying "if you need another way to contact Dan Telfer, I found this". Whee!

[Hendo]

I had a similiar incident happen to me. Some dude tee-boned my car at a pretty good rate of speed, then took off. He stopped about two blocks down and came back when he realized that he didn't have his license plate on the front anymore... it was imbedded in the side of my car.

[TommyP]

It just gets better....

So, yesterday after work, I parked my car on La Salle near my place, got my workout stuff and went to the gym. On the way, I heard a car alarm and glanced at my vehicle as I was walking by. It was my alarm. I went across the street and turned it off, locked the doors and went on my way.

An hour and a half later, walking back to my place and nearing my car, I heard an alarm again. Sure enough, mine. I crossed the street again and turned it off. Somebody had left a nasty note on my windshield saying that it's been blaring for over an hour. Hanging from my side-view mirror was a pretty orange ticket from the City of Chicago Police Department informing me my car was "Disturbing the Peace." Nice.

Now, I've been working on a video for a memorial service this Friday for a friend who died recently. Up 'til midnight last night when I get a call. The burglar alarm at work has gone off. I'm first call on the list for my company. So, I finish up with the video stuff and drive over. Nothing. Probably a bird or a rat. Who knows? Anyway, I drive back to my place and find a spot two doors up from my apartment. I make sure that I lock the doors from the door handle instead of the key fob so I don't activate the alarm again. Off to bed.

I wake up a little late this morning, but no biggy. I've put in overtime that I don't mark on my time sheet. I'm entitled to be a few minutes late once in a while. So, I step out the door and glance to my vehicle. Gone! Towed. Alarm. Disturbing the Peace. 400 E Lower Wacker. $160. Another ticket. Beaten.

I'm avoiding walking near tall buildings today lest a giant safe falls from the sky and crushes me.

[EdO]

This kind of stuff never happens to Liberals.

Let us know when you're ready to sign up.

You can stop this, Tommy. Anytime. Join us.

It's only going to get worse.

[Hendo]

I hate to say it, Tommy, but EdO's right. Your Bushie Mojo has run out. Convert or suffer the consequences of fickle fate.

[James]

So what happened? I actually really want to know. Did they find the a-hole who did this?

[TommyP]

I have a friend who is a cop. He ran the plate for me and gave me the guy's name and address listed for his registration. He advised me not to contact the person, but to give the info to my insurance company.

The cops are notoriously slow in investigating non-violent crimes. When I made the report, I asked the officer when I could expect to hear from the officer assigned to the case. He said he wasn't sure, but it could be a week, two weeks, who knows?

I did a liitle sleuthing yesterday using public records on the internet. I know what this guy's condo was assessed for and I have all his current registration information for the vehicle, including the VIN number. I'm going to go on Kelly Blue Book or something to find out the exact model of his vehicle...I know it's a 2004 Ford Truck or SUV.

Updates to come.

[TommyP]

From www.carfax.com (http://www.carfax.com) ...

<TABLE style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; WIDTH: 560px; TEXT-ALIGN: right; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5><TBODY><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><TD class=normal2Bold>Year/Make/Model:</TD><TD class=normal2 id=yearMakeModelField colSpan=2>2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS/XLS SPORT</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e0e0e0; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><TD class=normal2Bold>Body Style:</TD><TD class=normal2 id=bodyStyleField colSpan=2>4 DR. WAGON/SPORT UTILITY</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><TD class=normal2Bold>Engine Type: </TD><TD class=normal2 id=engineTypeField colSpan=2>4.0L V6 FI SOHC</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Chip]

Tom, you're a regular Andy Barker, PI. Hit this MFer, American style - in the wallet with your insurance company!

-Chip

[TommyP]

This from http://www.chicagopolice.org/vehicles/webform2.aspx ...

http://www.chicagopolice.org/images/subhdr_tows.gif

No records were found matching your search.
Last vehicle data: 4/13/2007 10:30:11 AM

Where is my VIN? (http://www.chicagopolice.org/TOWS/vin_locations.html)

This website allows you to quickly check the status of a vehicle to determine if it has been towed or impounded by the City of Chicago or has been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department. Information is updated every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.

To determine if a vehicle has been towed or impounded by the City of Chicago, enter either the license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

You can also determine if a vehicle has been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department. For example, if you notice an unfamiliar vehicle parked on your block or a vehicle that has been left in a parking lot/ garage for an extended period of time, enter the license plate or VIN to determine if it has been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department.

If you identify a stolen vehicle, CALL 911. Do not endanger yourself.

Now you can help the police locate and recover stolen vehicles more rapidly by running the license plate and/or VIN of any vehicle to determine if it has been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department.

Use Citizen ICAM to help identify areas of possible risk for Motor Vehicle Theft. You can search for reported Motor Vehicle Theft incidents (and any other crime) by beat, intersection, or address. Click here for Citizen ICAM. (http://12.17.79.6/)

Follow these tips to help reduce the chance of being an auto theft victim:
Always close and lock your doors and windows before you leave your vehicle.
Never leave your keys in your vehicle when it is unattended.
Car keys should not be hung on keyboards in the home or be visible through windows, they should be kept in a secure place.
Do not leave valuables unattended in vehicle.
Ownership and insurance cards should not be left in your vehicle when it is unattended.
Park in well-lighted and well traveled areas.

Click here for more Auto Theft Prevention Tips. (http://www.chicagopolice.org/tows/FILES/NICBthefteng.pdf)