That theft deterrent is definitely something you should call one of those Invoention places that advertise on TV about. :-)

 

Hell yeah, that is a great idea! Then when they sue you for putting them in the hospital you can try to explain why you did it. The judge will not be on your side! Other less lethal option would be to setup an alarm type system or camera to get proof, then you can make a more legal pursuit.

 

True. Maybe have it automatically trigger a life alert when the system is triggered. Seriously, it's a joke.

 

Maybe things are different where you are, but for many of us things like car theft and destruction of property are on the same level as stealing a bag of chips from the bodega.

I had a guy break into my car once in HS, stole every tool I owned, stole parts off of my car, my radio... he went to town. Easily took close to $1500 of stuff, which in HS felt like my life savings. Called the cops, and he was caught.

He didn't even get probation.

Some years later, I encountered the same guy, breaking into my car again. This time, the cops weren't called, but the problem was dealt with by a group of us that were concerned about the thefts and his involvement.

There wasn't another car break in for the 4 more years I lived in that apartment complex.

The sad truth is that even if you catch the guy on video, the judge won't be on your side, either.

Street Wolf, on your plate idea.... a car battery has the potential to make a mess. An ignition coil, module, and sine function generator, OTOH, has the potential to make a point.

 

Hahaha!


I hate thieves

 

That's nuts. I've had two of my silver caps jacked. Someone actually replaced a silver with a white cap. Good to know that I'm not crazy.

I guess that's karma for stealing Cadillac hood ornaments when I was 10.

 

I've had a couple caps disappear while i was in an apartment complex..not fun.
But more importantly just replaced the tires and found out after an incident that the tire locks we're stripped.

 

I thought you could only take them out if the rim is off without breaking them. Why did they only steal one? Have you took off your rim to see if it fell down inside??

 

Doesn't look like my reply from yesterday made it through, so here it is again:

It took me quite some time to realize that the mechanical car was I was going to every week was the culprit in me losing center caps. The rotating brush that cleans your wheels and tires was getting under the corner and pulling them off. After some time (and me spending money every month on replacements), I asked the attendant if he had found any center caps. He laughed and showed me a box full of them off of different cars. I fetched two of mine back and from then on ALWAYS checked my wheels when the guys were towelling off my Disco.

When the center caps get older, the tabs become brittle and those car washes have a much easier time flipping them off and into the drain. These days I put a bit of shoe goo (also marketed as "automotive goop" on the inside of the rim hole when I snap a new one on. It works great and it plenty easy to pop off when you rotate/balance your tires.