Relentless Thief Problem

Thumbsquatch

 

The flashing at the beginning is probably Face ID. It blasts you with infrared. Very likely an iPhone user, unless they have an obscure/old Android phone.

Is there a way to reverse-lookup someone with an air tag? In other words, put an air tag nearby, and when the thief walks by it's their phone that picks it up and sends the location back to the Find My network. Maybe you'd need to subpoena Apple to know who's phone found the air tag.

Or could you set up an open WiFi hotspot and log the Mac address of whatever phone tries to connect at the same time the thief shows up on video? Not sure how much info is exchanged with hotspots that the user doesn't actively connect to (maybe none?)

 

Call me a dick but if you can’t remember something simple like locking your doors after having thousands of dolllars worth of stuff stolen over multiple break ins than maybe you shouldn’t be driving.

 

Smear a bunch of grease under the door handles...or dog poo. Just don't plan on using the truck for a while.

 

You can buy these very small rechargeable cameras, and you should put one inside the truck. So that when he comes in, you can get his face on video .

 

I think you’re on to something here. I really like the idea of baiting the thief's phone to connect to a device.

Regarding the flashing, it could be some kind of device used to unlock my truck, not necessarily Face ID. I’m going to think this through a bit more, but right now, I’m leaning towards setting up an Arduino with a closed circuit. As soon as the circuit breaks (when the door opens), it could trigger a loud alarm on my phone, giving me time to call 911 so the officer nearby can catch them 6 houses down the road

Thanks for brainstorming this with me!

 

If forgetting to lock a door means someone shouldn't drive, I wonder what forgetting kindness means about you.

 

It’s honest and blunt, but not unkind. Forgetting something as simple and basic as a locked door brings into question the ability to remember and perform more complex tasks required to safely drive a vehicle on public roads.

 

My advice, reread this post by Sprig.

 

I appreciate the honesty, but this discussion is about finding practical solutions, not pointing out personal faults. Forgetting to lock a door is a human mistake that cannot be generalized and doesn't define someone's capability to drive or their value. I am a far better driver than most. Let's try to focus on ideas that can help address the issue instead of bringing people down. Constructive input is what we need here.

 

best practical advice in the thread.

At this point we are not sure I left the doors unlocked.

 

Bro... u r making this way to complicated. Lock ur truck. Period. If that takes phone reminders, post it's, or whatever. U fed this animal multiple times, so it will continue to come back. Like a stray cat.

Thiefs suck, we all get that. And we feel for ur lose. But got damn... I assume ur an adult. U put up with someone stealing thousand of dollars worth of stuff and don't set a phone reminder to lock ur truck b4 dark?!!! And ur thinking of selling ur truck because of a thief?!!!

I'm not trying to b an ass but just giving tough love. The video u have proves nothing. It's not going to put anyone in jail. Either lock ur shit or stop him. Simple. Sometimes u gotta step up and b better urself so the shitbags can't take advantage of u. The world is not far and never will b.

 

The stop him is easier. And I agree. Simple solutions are best.

I can keep from leaving valuables in there, but I will not remember to lock it every time.

I will set the reminder. But I just know there will be this one night that I thought I locked it but I didn't.

 

I like the rat trap under seat idea, maybe another in the console, and turn the interior light off so he'll have to fumble around inside for a while, hopefully then putting a finger or two onto the trap trigger.

 

If this is ur plan, know ur local and state laws. B smart. I've stopped someone stealing from my neighbors truck with a 9mm. I was legal to do that. But also know... if u pull it... b ready to use it.

I'm not saying that this is the answer. Just know what ur getting into if u decide to stop him. Protect urself and ur family.

 

If the truck is parked in your driveway, I’d add a motion sensor water sprinkler on your lawn and aim it at your truck. They are less than $50 on Amazon and designed to deter dogs and critters from lawns and gardens.

Getting hosed down with cold water when it’s 45° outside won’t be pleasant. Plus, he’ll leave a clear trail of water drips if you decide to track him down for a conversation.

Again, any trap you set will require you to remember to both set it, and turn it off in the morning.

FWIW, a former coworker had a car alarm that alerted him on his cell phone. He encountered a thief in the middle of a break in of his car and responded the way we all want to (no gun, baseball bat).

He was arrested.

Bottom line, know your laws.

 

Leave something semi-valuable with an air tag attached in your truck.

 

As far as locking the door potentially causing more damage like a busted window I'd bet he's already tried opening the door plenty of times when you DID remember to lock it.