One of these days I'll get the guy who keeps stealing parts from my Pagoda!

[Tom Colitt]

I will be waiting up at night with my rifle and all of a sudden it won't look like such a great idea anymore to steal cars and parts from other people who have to pay for the loss out of their own pocket.

Last night, only a week after I finally installed a new grill in my 280SL (only a year after the whole car was stolen and stripped), he stole my front chrome grill. Car was covered with a car cover and alarm was set.

I can't wait to get my hands on him....

[Jordan]

We feel for your loss.  In hind site the shotgun was probably a good iea.  Don't use buckshot though because you might hit the car.   Remind us again where you live so we know not to park in that area.

[scoot]

That is horrible.  I often reflect on how much I could lose if someone wandered into my back yard or looked in my outgoing mail.  It would totally change the way I live.  We shouldn't need to lock doors.   I'm sorry for your repeated losses.  It sucks.

[jacovdw]

Sorry to hear that Tom, that's terrible indeed.

Hope you get the bugger...

[w113dude]

Sorry about the grill, I know if that happend to me I would be devastated.
An idea, the thug who stole the grill might want to put it up for sale on eBay! Maybe if the listing is local or even close that might be the one!

Just a thought.

[PnHi]

Sounds like someone who is familiar with you and your car.

[Cees Klumper]

In nature photography, sometimes a camera is used with a detection device so photos can be taken whenever the animal passes by. Maybe you can install a small video camera behind the grill that will film the perpetrator in the act? Or you can install a high-voltage device?

[al_lieffring]

Working as a mechanic in the auto business, back before we were issued lab coats and became technicians, the guys that I would work with were the type that were known on a first name basis inside the juvenile court system. They said a good way to get a new part for a car is to go out and find a car that has what you want and steal that old part, then wait a about a week and go back after they have bought a new replacement part and steel it again. That way you get a brand new one.
This is common in home burglary thieves too. they don't want your old TV they realy want the new 52"flat screen that you are going to buy with the insurance check.

Just a warning once these guys get your number you can almost count on thier coming back again.

[RickM]

Get a $20 motion sensing floodlight fixture and place near the 280. Screw an electrical outlet adapter into the socket that the bulb goes into. Plug an extension cord into that outlet and run the cord inside to a 120v buzzer or light. Next time you get a visit your friend will be announced. Take appropriate action.


Sorry to hear about your loss. Be prepared for the next incident.

[scoot]

I don't think shooting him would be a good idea - that would be murder and you couldn't enjoy your pagoda from jail, but I think a security light and a camera might be useful...   It shouldn't be that way.

[graphic66]

I use a device called the diveway alert. There are tons of them available, google driveway alert and pick one out. The send a signal of motion to a reciever. Very inexpensive and simple. And please, as mad as you are don't use deadly force, no car part is worth the price of anyones life. Catch the person with technology and inginuity and don't get yourself in trouble.

[scoot]

I have a not so good reproduction grill that has good chrome that you can use for bait!!!!!

[Kemal]

Sorry to read what has been happening to your Pagoda.
Tom, I second your thoughts ...... We have a lot of these goings on in the UK.  

I would take out the windscreen, sit in the car with a double barrel shot gun facing the front ..... ask your friends to cover the car with the car cover again.
And then .......  
As Cees wrote, You can install a small video camera behind the grill.
As Rick wrote, Get a $20 motion sensing floodlight fixture and place near the 280. Screw an electrical outlet adapter into the socket that the bulb goes into. Plug an extension cord into that outlet and run the cord inside to a light.

We look forward to seeing his/her face in utter shock on utube ( Caught on camera ) in the future! If he/she dare to come back!  

I am reminded of the film GRAN TORINO. Clint Eastwood.

Keep us updated of any developments.

All the best
Kemal
280SL
Manual LHD69

[abe280SL]

No garage? Well, its like this..as long as you keep feeding the bears they know where to get their free meal.
abe

[SteveK]

Pretty sad, I would equate defacing a Pagoda as the equivalent of cattle rustling.   Move to Texas and then you can shoot him legally!

[abe280SL]

Since my Pagoda is part of my family....I might be able to convince the judge I was protecting a family member.
Oh, I forgot I am Kalifornia.
abe

Pretty sad, I would equate defacing a Pagoda as the equivalent of cattle rustling.   Move to Texas and then you can shoot him legally!

[Tom Colitt]

Thanks to all the supportive comments. I think it is unlikely the grill will show up on Ebay or Craigslist although I will search the L.A. classifieds. The guy would have to be very stupid to advertise this and it takes a lot of time to keep searching ads. I think my grill probably will end up on a car that is bound to be sold shortly...
If I caught him on film, I might get even more upset, watching him steal my parts and still not being able to do anything about it. Law enforcement in L.A. (in the US) is taken very loosely and they pretty much have never shown much interest in investigating, even when the whole car was stolen. Of course I won't even be able to report the theft to my insurance company because they already tried to drop me when they had to pay out a year ago....

If anyone notices a grill for sale or goes to look at a car in the L.A. area, the grill should be easy to spot. It was in overall excellent condition with very good chrome and just has one very small, barely pea sized dent in the upper center portion of the grill surround. I had already already metal-worked the dent back out from the back side, but of course it wasn't re-chromed so it would still be visible.

Best,

[Dash808]

I hate thieves and feel your pain.     
Earlier today in broad daylight my neighbor's house got ripped off by two guys.  One grabbed the jewels, credit cards, and a bicycle, and the other wheeled away a Kawasaki 250cc dirtbike.  Fortunately our other neighbor spotted the guy walking up the street with the dirtbike and yelled at him.  The guy dropped the bike and took off running. 
5 minutes and $76 later they had already filled up a car at a gas station down the street using one of the credit cards.

Some people definitely deserve a dose of justice. 

[Via Manci]

Be careful what you do!  You may have to have a beer in the rose garden and talk about sharing the wealth.

[RickM]

May I suggest this route for the protection of our treasured automobiles....Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geynA-JYDHE

[waltklatt]

Tom,
Ouch!  Again they struck!
Maybe the screws are a little to easy to get out, why not switch to pop rivets to hold the grill on?
Might be a bit harder for the thief to take out the grill.
I have seen an SL or two with rivets and vandalproof screws in place. 
Also the camera with a motion sensor would be a good idea.
Best thing is to get a carport for your car and enclose it with partitions and a door.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel
1970 280SL-undergoing restoration-nearly complete.

[ja17]

Sorry to hear about bad luck Tom,

I bought a one piece unit that was a motion activated light, alarm and a camera which recorded the motion activated video on a SD card at Sam's Club for $95.00.

You have a choice of alarm bell, anouncement, or dog barking.   

I have not used it yet, I have three four legged alarms here named Becker, Arial and Wille (Doberman Pincers) never had any problems, still leave doors unlocked at times.

[Tom Colitt]

Thanks Walter and Dash and Joe

A motion sensor might work, but unfortunately, I can't usually park in the driveway and the street is a few feet away from the house. I do like the idea of using rivets. I think I will do that for the grill and the waistline trim. Still need an idea for the bolts that hold the bumpers. Are there any special anti theft bolt heads in the size (m10 torx head?)