Facelift Stolen S3... Nearly... Again...

[Bitzieee]

Hello all,

Bet you're sick of hearing stuff like this now but I still feel like it needs to be posted about to continue raising awareness. This morning my house was broken into by an organised gang in an attempt to steal my S3.

They opened the front gates in anticipation of a quick get away. They snapped one of our security lights. Somehow got into our back garden which is all fenced off (we imagine by lifting a fence panel). Snapped the back door lock, chucked my dog out in the rain. Tipped every single draw out, got a few kitchen knifes out of the holder as weapons. Checked the whole kitchen, garage, toilet, utility room, living room, dining room, hallway and closet. To the extent that they checked inside our kitchen bin, under hats, slippers, the fridge, the kettle. Even the compartment you put powder into for the washing machine was open and had been checked!

My mum woke to a noise, then heard footsteps from the dog so presumed it was that, then the dog walked in their room soaking wet, at which point we knew something was up. We went downstairs and saw everything out, and the knifes which was a bit scary.

They emptied the handbags on the floor and took £20 (which we found on the drive a week ago ha).

The police were round in a matter of minutes to make sure we were safe, replaced the key barrels free of charge and arranged for forensics to come round this morning as well.

 

[davc]

Sorry to hear this mate and glad the family is ok.

If they didn't fit them, get some proper anti snap locks and if you can do it as well some PAS24 rated door handles. The handles alone will prevent future lock snapping by way of ripping off the handles to get at the cylinder.

Out of interest how come they didn't get the car?

 

[BarryG79]

Glad everyone is ok, scary stuff!!

Actually been considering cctv, alarm, new locks etc following a spate of car thefts where my sister lives about 3 miles from me.


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[Schizophonic]

how did these guys not make any noise in your house? is it really big? I find it strange these these went to the great length of doing that and not coming into your rooms demanding the keys.

Sorry for your experience and it is horrible to hear but are there known thieves to be operating in your area? The S3 is a high value target and they must have scoped out the area before attempting to do the brake in.

 

[lucaslfc]

****** hell mate thats scary stuff that is, i always set my house alarm just so downstairs is armed which will give me plenty of time to grab my weapon of choice near the bed.
really is worring to think these low lifes will go to some extremes, whats even worse is having kids in bed because at the end of the day you will do what ever it takes to protect your family which probably in this country will land you in jail for attempted murder..

 

[Daveotto]

Sorry to hear that mate, hope you are all ok and not to shaken.

Good they did not come up stairs, but end of the day, even if hardened professional thieves, they don’t want any confrontation so gave up when no keys downstairs, personally I leave my keys downstairs in view just in case

Based on what you described a burgular alarm and /or cctv might have put them off in the first place

 

[Bitzieee]

Sorry to hear that mate, hope you are all ok and not to shaken.

Good they did not come up stairs, but end of the day, even if hardened professional thieves, they don’t want any confrontation so gave up when no keys downstairs, personally I leave my keys downstairs in view just in case

Based on what you described a burgular alarm and /or cctv might have put them off in the first place

CCTV doesn't put them off, my manager had a few attempted thefts for GTI's in a space of a few days and they looked straight at the CCTV with balaclavas on

 

[Bitzieee]

****** hell mate thats scary stuff that is, i always set my house alarm just so downstairs is armed which will give me plenty of time to grab my weapon of choice near the bed.
really is worring to think these low lifes will go to some extremes, whats even worse is having kids in bed because at the end of the day you will do what ever it takes to protect your family which probably in this country will land you in jail for attempted murder..

I'm the kid in the house @20 ha!

I have a polish police torch next to my bed which is over a foot long and some seriously heavy metal

 

[Bitzieee]

how did these guys not make any noise in your house? is it really big? I find it strange these these went to the great length of doing that and not coming into your rooms demanding the keys.

Sorry for your experience and it is horrible to hear but are there known thieves to be operating in your area? The S3 is a high value target and they must have scoped out the area before attempting to do the brake in.

It's slightly bigger than I think most houses as it's semi detached and on a main road. I asked the copper and he said for our area it doesn't happen that often. Although sounds like they broke in down the road and got another car from that house. I hear about it always happening in the nearby towns and citys

 

[Bitzieee]

Sorry to hear this mate and glad the family is ok.

If they didn't fit them, get some proper anti snap locks and if you can do it as well some PAS24 rated door handles. The handles alone will prevent future lock snapping by way of ripping off the handles to get at the cylinder.

Out of interest how come they didn't get the car?

The keys weren't downstairs, not sure why they didn't come up, don't think they were disturbed. We heard steps, then the dog walking along the wooden laminate floor downstairs so we thought it was just her, she came up soaking wet so we rushed down as we thought the roof had come in on the conservatory and quickly realised we'd been robbed.

 

[MikeParkin]

Sorry to hear mate, where are you based ?

Thinking of adding more security to my place.

 

[Bitzieee]

Sorry to hear mate, where are you based ?

Thinking of adding more security to my place.

North west uk


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[malinmip]

If you really want to have secure locks, this the the company to go for. Most nordic residents use these https://www.abloy.com/en/abloy/abloycom/

 

[RS3 S.]

Sad news mate. I've just upgraded the front/back doors on our house & updated the locks. Good old Stop Lock Pro on the steering wheel as well.

 

[HulkRS3]

North west uk


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North West UK where? I'm on the West Coast of Scotland so quite interested to know.

 

[Bitzieee]

North West UK where? I'm on the West Coast of Scotland so quite interested to know.

South from you, think of manchester liverpool bolton area


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[HulkRS3]

South from you, think of manchester liverpool bolton area


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Ah fair enough, seemingly quite rife there.

 

[LeeDaviesS3]

A week after getting my S3 I had an attempted car theft.

Same situation kind of !!!
They climbed over the back garden fence (6-foot panels) and snapped the lock on the french doors using my crowbar and lump hammer (I had left my rear garage door open like an idiot).

They quickly and silently got into the house but immediately the house alarm went off and they scarpered.
Since then I have put anti-snap locks on all exterior doors and a "PATLOCK" on my french doors as an extra deterrent.

Now the one security device which I know is the reason I still own a shiny new S3 is the house alarm.
So many people on my housing estate either;
1) Don't have an alarm
2) Don't activate it
Is frightening.

Had we not had the house alarm my car would have been gone.

So many people spend £100's on CCTV and it is pointless.
CCTV is the biggest waste of money when it comes to home security. You would be better spending that money on Uprated Locks, Spotlights, Alarm System. All it takes is for the thieves to wear some headgear and they are instantly disguised.

At the price of £300 for a half decent wireless home alarm system there is no excuse.
If you can't spend £300 protecting your car which costs upwards of £30k then if it gets taken, but you are willing to spend £699 on a remap, what do you expect.

Everyone buying these cars know they are in the top 5 stolen cars in the U.K but decide not to be vigilant.

 

[LeeDaviesS3]

South from you, think of manchester liverpool bolton area


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By the sounds of it you are not that far from me. I am between Bolton and Manchester too.
I wonder actually how close to home? Near anywhere I may know?

 

[Jassyo06]

Car theives are similar to terrorist in a way.... If they really want your car there's not really any deterrent

Opportunists mate that's what they where,it's no fun having them in the home, been there, chin up and most of all try sleeping as it's extremely doubtful they will return.... Too much like hard work for them

 

[Bitzieee]

Car theives are similar to terrorist in a way.... If they really want your car there's not really any deterrent

Opportunists mate that's what they where,it's no fun having them in the home, been there, chin up and most of all try sleeping as it's extremely doubtful they will return.... Too much like hard work for them

Apparently it only takes 15 seconds to snap a normal lock barrel so doesn't sound like much hard work. I'm over it, at work, smashing it as usual just wanted everyone to be again reminded whilst I could. Policeman said they were professionals from the way they did it, they left no stone unturned, didn't make a noise and had everything planned

 

[oli356]

Sounds scary! Hoping I never experience something similar, luckily my car is boxed in by other cars overnight.

Though think I would still rather they break in and take my keys that are left downstairs.... rather than come upstairs to where the family is sleeping...

 

[Bitzieee]

Sounds scary! Hoping I never experience something similar, luckily my car is boxed in by other cars overnight.

Though think I would still rather they break in and take my keys that are left downstairs.... rather than come upstairs to where the family is sleeping...

Each to their own, when you have an excess of £1200, and paid £4500 for the years insurance because your 20, and are the only 'child' in the house I guess it's different.

If I was 30 paid, £500 a year for insurance, and had a £300 excess fee I would leave them downstairs you're right.

 

[oli356]

Each to their own, when you have an excess of £1200, and paid £4500 for the years insurance because your 20, and are the only 'child' in the house I guess it's different.

If I was 30 paid, £500 a year for insurance, and had a £300 excess fee I would leave them downstairs you're right.

£4500! Holy ! I'm only 23 but insurance is only like £700 or something at least. Edit: just read your insurance thread..

I see your point !..

 

[Bitzieee]

£4500! Holy ! I'm only 23 but insurance is only like £700 or something at least. Edit: just read your insurance thread..

I see your point !..

Haha, I also see yours. I'm not having kids though when I'm older. Just a dog! lol

 

[Joe4842]

n

North west uk


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North west!?

whereabouts roughly? im from north west that's all

 

[Bitzieee]

n

North west!?

whereabouts roughly? im from north west that's all

manchester liverpool bolton area

 

[mikep99]

Please stop asking for a more accurate area than the OP has provided.
Anyone can read these forums and work out where the nice cars are.
OP - I feel your pain. Had mine taken a couple of years ago through similar circumstances. Middle of the day though and no-one at home thankfully.
Hope you and yours are not too shaken up about it..
Mike

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[Bitzieee]

Please stop asking for a more accurate area than the OP has provided.
Anyone can read these forums and work out where the nice cars are.
OP - I feel your pain. Had mine taken a couple of years ago through similar circumstances. Middle of the day though and no-one at home thankfully.
Hope you and yours are not too shaken up about it..
Mike

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Thanks Mike, personally I'm not shaken up about it, the knife on the side ready to use was worrying but I knew this would happen when I got the car. And I'm expecting it again within 4 months... Security will be stepped up even more now we're 'Veterans' and understand what they do more.

 

[S32B]

Glad everyone is OK. I remembered reading an article about home security, most burglars said they were put off if a house had a monitored alarm such as ADT.

It's scary how much the S3 does get noticed! Only last night I saw a bloke trying to fix his car in the dark close to where I live (someone had knocked his mirror off), I'd never met the guy before in my life, I stopped to offer some light as I had a powerful one at hand! Once his car was sorted he thanked me for my help and said "I like your A5, what happened to the S3?" I told him that I'd sold it to a specialist sports car place, he then said "Why did you sell it?, that was a beast and looked good in black"!!!! It just made me think how things get noticed.

 

[Bitzieee]

To let you all know, I do have an update on what happened

Glad everyone is OK. I remembered reading an article about home security, most burglars said they were put off if a house had a monitored alarm such as ADT.

It's scary how much the S3 does get noticed! Only last night I saw a bloke trying to fix his car in the dark close to where I live (someone had knocked his mirror off), I'd never met the guy before in my life, I stopped to offer some light as I had a powerful one at hand! Once his car was sorted he thanked me for my help and said "I like your A5, what happened to the S3?" I told him that I'd sold it to a specialist sports car place, he then said "Why did you sell it?, that was a beast and looked good in black"!!!! It just made me think how things get noticed.

I bumped into a guy who said he saw me a few weeks ago and downshifted past him and the pop made his ear ring for about half an hour afterwards ha.

 

[oli356]

Maybe all S3s should come with trained German Shepherds.... security can always be broken through but maybe they (thieves) will be scared of the dog!

but I knew this would happen when I got the car

That is a pretty sad statement to say though. Having an S3 obviously means it is more likely to get stolen than many other cars, but I don't expect or think people will break into my house to try and nick a car. I'm not waiting on the day it happens as such... live in a pretty decent area, but there are thieves in every town in the country at the end of the day...

 

[Bitzieee]

Maybe all S3s should come with trained German Shepherds.... security can always be broken through but maybe they (thieves) will be scared of the dog!


That is a pretty sad statement to say though. Having an S3 obviously means it is more likely to get stolen than many other cars, but I don't expect or think people will break into my house to try and nick a car. I'm not waiting on the day it happens as such... live in a pretty decent area, but there are thieves in every town in the country at the end of the day...

Looks like my dog went and watered the flowers whilst they broke in...

They don't steal from the pour areas, they know where the wealthy areas are with the cars. Sadly, I expect it to happen within 4 months from now again. Except this time we'll be much better protected

 

[jaypers777]

It’s a sad fact of life this and the sentences should be a lot harsher. I would not have my S3 (or similar) without a garage.

 

[Daveotto]

but I don't expect or think people will break into my house to try and nick a car

Due to good in car security an increasing proportion of car thefts are from house break in's to get the keys. First thing I done when I got my first S3 was beef up home security

 

[oli356]

Due to good in car security an increasing proportion of car thefts are from house break in's to get the keys. First thing I done when I got my first S3 was beef up home security

Yeah of course, I get that. But I'm not exactly waiting for the day my house gets broken into, expecting it as such.
It's a possibility of course, even without the car...

Those Ghost systems or whatever its called so you have to enter in a button sequence do look very good for in car security tho!

 

[Bitzieee]

Yeah of course, I get that. But I'm not exactly waiting for the day my house gets broken into, expecting it as such.
It's a possibility of course, even without the car...

Those Ghost systems or whatever its called so you have to enter in a button sequence do look very good for in car security tho!

They are but they will probably come back in for the code if they’re so close... i think you need to aim towards making an alert they are aware they have set off before or during breaking in. If you’re a theif, you’ve just got in and suddenly alarm goes off and you cant see the keys immediately... you run off

I genuinely expect another attempt within 4 months


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[davc]

Opportunists mate that's what they where

It does sound like it.

Committed "professionals" would not have left without the keys and would have done anything to get them.

I genuinely expect another attempt within 4 months

In that case expect the unexpected and be prepared for it.

 

[Jassyo06]

It does sound like it.

Committed "professionals" would not have left without the keys and would have done anything to get them.


In that case expect the unexpected and be prepared for it.

Yeah mate pros don't rake in cutlery drawers

 

[Joe4842]

Please stop asking for a more accurate area than the OP has provided.
Anyone can read these forums and work out where the nice cars are.
OP - I feel your pain. Had mine taken a couple of years ago through similar circumstances. Middle of the day though and no-one at home thankfully.
Hope you and yours are not too shaken up about it..
Mike

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I wasn't asking which road he lived on...... just after a more specific area like Bitzieee provided (naming a few cities) wanting to know as if it was in my local area I'd want to know so people can be more wary of who was kicking about around your estate.