Stolen GPS...think we found the thief
 

Two days ago I was at my high school ski practice when I came back to my car and discovered that the GPS was missing. It was clearly stolen along with my jeans. What really disturbs me is that I even hid it under the seat and the thief still managed to find it. It is a Garmin 255w so it is pretty expensive. We have reported it to ski area staff and checked craigslist every day. We had no luck until about an hour ago when I searched GPS on craigslist and found this ad.http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...572200560.html The thing is that the thief did not take the car mount but he did take the car charger which is in the pictures. He also obviously cut/paste the info and just wrote his phone number in. It is also located in the exact area in which it was stolen.

I don't know what to do because I can not prove that it is mine. Do you guys have any advise or ways I could prove its mine?

Here's a long shot, but did you plug in your home address under the HOME category.

You could tell mine to take you home and it would use that address to take you there.

Mine got stolen too. Thief broke my driver's side window out, right in my driveway to take it.

If I were you, I would take some buddies with me and "check" it out. You could call the guy and set up a "meeting".

Serial number on the box vs the thing itself?

Any distinctive marks or scratches etc?

Distinctive batteries?

I'd assume also it might have certain places pre-programmed into it that you can bring up on the menu etc?

I would go round there with a local police officer- he can ajudicate as you inspect the gps to see if its yours or not- if the theif can t prove ownership ( no box, mount, instructions, receipt etc ) but you can ( have all those things the theif doesnt ), then it should be easy to determine the true owner.

If, and this is a big if, the police actually wanted to spend any time on it, they could finger print it and your car. If they find your prints on the gps, then you might have a good chance.
The "home" thing might work too.

A buddy of mine programmed his "home" to the cop that lives around the corner from him. His theory was that they would then target his home (not sure why he arrived at that conclusion...). But it would have been funny if it had all worked out.

Mine got stolen too. did you file a police report? Hard to do a lot if you don't have one unless you have solid proof of ownership.

Please beat his ass either way for all those that don't catch our thief.

Did you register it with Garmin? They keep your name with the serial #.

Bingo
 

Thats what I was going to say. Anytime you purchase a piece of electronic gear you should register it right away. Especially if it was a big $$$$ item. Also that is why we keep the boxes for stuff like that, because they usually put the serial number of the item on the box just like software when you purchase it. I would do what someone else suggested. Setup a meeting to check the item out and show up with the police to varify if it is in fact your GPS.

That thing about putting a neighbors address in for the HOME location was suggested a while ago, because thieves began using the info on the stolen GPS units to rob houses. Think about it this way. Most people who have GPS units and leave them in their cars also usually have garage door openers in their vehicles. How easy is that for the thief? Not only does he get your GPS, but he also gets a free shopping spree in your house with easy access.

We are going to do a "meeting" today...we'l see how it goes

Sucks to hear.. And good luck getting your Garmin back. It really sucks that the police doesn't do anything. (It's the same over here)


Good luck with the "meeting", hope you get that Garmin back

Be careful. If it is the thief you can never know how they will react when confronted.

really hope you get your garmin back,theives are just disgusting.its times like these that remind me why im getting a concealed carry license,the best i can get now is some friends to go with me!--josh

Good Luck !!!!!!
Theiving douche bags should all be hung by their thumbs.

One thing I'll say about Saudi Arabai and other countrys that desipline with a machete to the wrists to scum bags that steal hard earned propertys.
I think public execusions would be a great idea too, I'd be in the front row with a big tub of popcorn watching the show.

:lol:


When was/is the meeting?

Why not a stoning and make it a family affair? lol

Stoning is too impersonal; I don't feel "attached" to the deed. I personally prefer direct fist/elbow/knee/foot to face contact. Much more gratifying!