Recovering from an Automotive Theft after 42 Years

Suffering a property loss can be a tragic experience for anyone. When you have sentimental value in the stolen item, your suffering is even greater. For 42 years, Robert Russell of Texas has searched for his treasured 1967 Austin-Healey, which vanished from his Philadelphia home in 1970. The 66-year-old sales manager never gave up searching for the missing Healey, which vanished the morning after his second date with his future wife.

After a few days, many people begin to realize that their car is gone and carry-on with an empty hole in their heart. You lose that feeling of closure and you will forever be without the peace of mind that comes with recovering your stolen property. Luckily for Mr. Russell, he never gave up and eventually spotted his car listed on eBay in Beverly Hills. After confirming the stolen car was his, Mr. Russell took position of the classic British roadster, which is now valued around $23,000.

After seeing a story like this, you should never give up hope in recovering your stolen property. There are also things you can do now to prevent a car theft happening to you in your home. Technology has greatly advanced over the past 42 years and it is a lot easier to keep your car secure.

Car Security

When you are home with your vehicle, always keep it stored safely in a locked garage. If you must store your vehicle outside, be sure to keep it locked and close all of the windows. Even if it is for a short period of time, do not leave a door open or your convertible top down. This is inviting anyone into the car and you’re making it easy to bypass that first layer of security. 

Additionally, you should be sure to install an alarm system on your vehicle with an engine immobilizer and glass breakage sensors. Most modern day cars have an option for this when you purchase the vehicle. I would also suggest installing alloy wheel locks to prevent your wheels from being stolen. An additional security method could be installing a Lo-Jack device to track your vehicle if it is stolen. 

Home Security

When it comes to protecting your car, you also need to protect your home. One suggestion is to install a surveillance system inside and around your home. This will help deter a possible thief or get a nice mug shot of the burglar if they try to steal your car.

You should also secure your garage by covering up any windows and replacing your garage door motor with one that has a rolling code system. Additionally, be sure not to leave your keys or garage door opener in the car. A burglar could smash the window to get into the home to take the car. Also, always keep your garage door closed unless you’re there to monitor it. 

As mentioned earlier, I advise you to keep your car stored in the garage. I would also suggest re-enforcing the door between your garage and your home by installing a slab door that cannot be kicked down. Also, replace any hinges with visible pins and install three-inch screws on the hinges.

Be sure to look at other DIY home security tips to protect your home and keep your valuables safe.

About the Author: Dan Miller is a home security professional and car enthusiast. He is also a copywriter for HomeSecurityDeals.com and a consistent reader of Zach’s Auto Review.