We went back to Canada today. The police were quite apologetic about the fact that no one reached out to us from their end. They did call our insurance guy. That is how we found out. The claims adjuster called us to call them and then call him back.
We were afraid that it would take weeks of bullshitting around to get the car back. The impound guy could not even tell us whether there was damage or if it was drivable.
There are some real peculiarities to this story that I am too tired to go into right now, but the computer/sat nav stuff has been ripped out. The windshield will need replaced. They backed into something. Our license plate is gone (although the police officer noted that it was removed from the car and laying on the rear side passenger seat...)
The police released it to us, so I guess the investigative part is done. I can't tell you anything about that because the officer who should have called us but didn't is away on vacation.
The impound guy refused to let us take it out because there was no plate on it. We drove back to the police who called the impound people to say there should have been a plate, that the officer specifically said so, and pointed out that they were the authority not him. Then we drove 20 minutes back to the impound lot, where the guy released the car, writing on the paperwork that it was not to be driven.
You know, it is funny. I guess in the beginning maybe I was too surprised at the theft to be mad, but seeing that car totally ripped apart and our dirty laundry thrown everywhere, the car filthy with greasy hands, an unknown white liquid splashed everywhere...well...I am mad.
Tim drove it home, despite Mr Impound's clearly written instructions not to drive it. He was following me because I had the Sat Nav. At the border, I handed my license out, explained what had happened briefly and said that the vehicle behind me had no license plate and that Tim had the police documentation. She didn't even blink. She said that all she had to do was record the VIN for the Lexus. As if stuff like this happened every day.
That made me a little mad too.
We are home now. Road weary and frazzled. We drove 3 hours with no plate on the car. Still amazes me.
Insurance adjuster is coming to the house tomorrow.
My favorite shoes were in the back, believe it or not.
The lines were snaked at the rental. Again. 3rd time in six weeks. I think we have a painful decision to make.
Totally burned out tonight.
Oh, Debby, what an incredibly exhausting, violating, and frustrating day. You have every single right to be absolutely furious! Seeing your car torn apart, filthy, and your personal things tossed around is a horrible feeling, and the bureaucratic runaround between the police and the impound lot is just the icing on a very bad cake.
ReplyDeleteIt is mind-blowing that the border patrol didn't even blink at a plateless Lexus, but I am so incredibly glad that you and Tim made it back across safely. Pour yourselves a massive glass of wine (or whatever your comfort drink of choice is tonight), leave the frazzled energy at the door, and let the insurance adjuster handle the heavy lifting tomorrow. Take care.
One of them left his sweatshirt behind. I hope that FILA sweatshirt was his favorite.
DeleteAs Matt says, it's such a violation to have someone trash YOUR car and belongings--that they have no right to! I would also be infuriated. I'm glad that that part of the nightmare is over although there is so much more to deal with. And the rental on top of that! I do think that a painful decision will have to be made; you don't have any choice at this point. I'm sad for the woman but it's probably for the best in the long term. :(
ReplyDeleteWe have worked it out with the sons. If it happens again, we will have to serve notice. This cannot continue.
DeleteWell, the car sounds salvageable without too much trouble, although replacing the sat nav etc sounds very expensive and maybe it is beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteWe will know more tomorrow.
DeleteI'm really surprised that you received the car under those conditions. As for conditions , you wonder what kinds of pigs are out there to make such a mess in a short time.
ReplyDeleteDestructive pigs.
DeleteI am so sorry. I am sorry about ALL of it. It makes me cringe that someone touched your stuff. Just ick. And it sounds like even the recovery was inept. I certainly understand about being mad about all of it. Every single little detail of it. What a frigging mess. It will be interesting to hear what your insurance agent has to say about all this. I hope you both can get some rest.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am glad you have your shoes!
When you think about all the sad stories in the world, this one is survivable. We will be fine. We just need our time to rant.
DeleteI am so sorry that this whole fiasco happened to you, Debby. I have to tell you, though, that it helped MY DAY a bunch to know you got your shoes back!
ReplyDeleteLol. I am glad some good came from it.
DeleteGlad you have the car back..is it worth restoring?
ReplyDeleteSad to say if your tenant can no longer cope, decisions have to be made
We will know more tomorrow.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about the state of your car when it was recovered. Hope the insurance will cover it rather than just writing off and paying you a pittance.
ReplyDeleteWe will be okay in the end.
DeleteOn the rather small plus side.....you got your shoes back! My husband's car was broken in to many years ago....just a broken window and no more damage, ( don't think there was anything much in it to be stolen!) but I never liked that car afterwards........hope that you can get rid of yours and start anew!
ReplyDeleteIt is not the biggest tragedy we ever dealt with. We will grumble first and then figure it all out.
DeleteThe vandalism seems so senseless and so very very annoying.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad about your tenant, but I think you have to consider the safety of your other tenants, as well as the safety of the lady herself. Next time it might be a tea towel left on a hot stove top - I have experience of that with an elderly relative. Her relatives probably have no idea of the state of play.
Her sons do know. We talked to them yesterday.
DeleteWell it is not exactly 'all's well that ends well'. A trashed car must be horrible to get back, wretched people who did it.
ReplyDeleteWretched people is right.
DeleteThat really does suck. It may have been better for it to have disappeared completely. The theft sounds like a hack job and not very professional. So sorry about this. I apologize.
ReplyDeleteApology NOT accepted since you did not take the car.🙂
DeleteI'm not surprised you're frazzled. Anyone would be after a day like that following a series of days like that. It's a horrible thing to have happened.
ReplyDeleteWe were so shocked.
DeleteYes indeed, be as angry as you like, while feeling a bit better about the shoes! What an episode to go through. And hopefully in a few months you will be feeling better and driving a different car!
ReplyDeleteOh, once the insurance part is done, I imagine we will be able to move on. The unknown 'what happens next' part is wearisome.
DeleteI feel your pain. A similar thing happened when my daughter's car was stolen years ago from MD. Same kind of run around from the police and the impound lot when it was found (only because my husband went looking for it--in DC). Same experience of finding a filthy car with some damage (caused as much by the impound lot as the thief) and then using a bottle of bleach cleaning the inside. The kicker? There was a Sunday church bulletin on the front seat. Evidently the thief believed in Jesus and going to church, but not the 8th commandment--Thou Shall Not Steal. Oh, the irony.
ReplyDeleteGiven the situation, it seems assinine to be upset about my underwear all over the car.
DeleteI honestly had not heard of a car theft in forever. Not in the context of someone I "know." And I do feel as if I know you and Tim in a way. You are real people and I know a bit about your lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible experience. Our cars are indeed something like our homes. Personal spaces for us and us alone. And that personal space of yours was definitely violated.
It is something that did not occur to us. The car was locked, in a hotel parking lot in front of the window at the front desk. Video cameras.
DeleteIt might have been better if the car had stayed gone. Horrible to see it trashed. I assume the passports were gone. And yet the shoes remained! And the rental issue on top. Life needs to cut you a break.
ReplyDeleteIt has occurred to both of us
DeleteIt might have been better if the car had stayed gone. Horrible to see it trashed. I assume the passports were gone. And yet the shoes remained! And the rental issue on top. Life needs to cut you a break.
ReplyDeleteWhat a saga with an ending a bit unexpected. Hope life settles down for the two of you very soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope so.
DeleteWell, I'm glad you got your shoes back, at least. Passports? Is that too much to hope for? Very strange that the police officer noted the presence of the license plate and it's now gone. Maybe he can shed some light on that when he gets back from vacation (!).
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for being angry and feeling defiled.
You know, one of the thieves left his FILA sweatshirt. It is ridiculous, but I hope he really loved that sweatshirt.
DeleteI'm sorry the cars a mess. Hope the insurance company will cover the repairs. I'm glad you got your shoes back. Passports gone?
ReplyDeleteTheyvwere found tossed along the road. They had already been reported stolen, so it didn't matter.
DeleteWhat a mess, there are few things as violating as having your car stolen or your house burgled. Like others, I don't know if getting the car back is a blessing or a curse. Glad your shoes came home, really sucks that the passports didn't.
ReplyDeleteIt is a mess.
DeleteAwww, that's unfortunate about the renter. No one likes to have to go into a home, but you can't keep digging out kitty litter. It's amazing that thieves will go to the trouble to steal sat nav and gps, they're free on your phone. Our car was broken into in Vancouver Canada years ago, they took the radio - a stock crappy radio worth nothing. Smashed in the side window to get to it. Insurance paid for two new windows so their degree of tint would be the same. Othe than that, it was all a giant PITA.
ReplyDeleteI am probably calling it the wrong thing. It is the brains of the car. Bluetooth, radio, satellite navigation, calculates your mileage, holds all data about the electronics. Our hybrid was not a hybrid coming home.. It is solely gas. No air conditioning. whatever that big screen in the middle of your car's console.
DeleteYou sound so tired, Debby. I wish things would ease up for you. And yet i know you will soldier on, and rhis too will pass
ReplyDeleteSo maddening about your car. I detest vandalism. So useless.
It was just stressful. After all, we were bringing a car that had been reported stolen back over the border...no plate, no passports. We really did not know how that was going to pan out.
Delete