When Vans Get Stolen

[kradel]

I've been posting this around facebook and twitter, and thought I might post it here as well, in case anyone is my area right now. If it isn't appropriate for this forum or board, please delete - I just want to get the word out. Below I'll tell you the things I've done so far to find my home on wheels.

[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]My van was stolen 1/5/19 between 5pm and 10pm from Russell Street @ Hillegass in Berkeley, California ...

In case you see it driving around or parked near you:

1997 White Ford E250
Barn Doors on the passenger side with windows
Back doors have windows
Canvas drop cloth curtains
Fairly clean looking.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Berkeley Parking Permit: Area "B" on back left side bumper
Mexican blankets on front seats.
Cupholder is full of rocks and crystals. Crystal hanging from rear view mirror.
Weatherguards on the driver and passenger windows.
CA Lic. Plate: 5N17707

I notified my immediate neighbors personally.

It has a Berkeley Parking Permit for the "B" neighborhood. That's its only sticker.

If you see it ANYWHERE, and anyone other than me is driving it or hanging out in it, please call the police.

If it is back on Russell Street @ Hillegass that means I've found it.  I have reported this information to the police.[/font]


[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]What I've done so far: [/font]

[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Contacted police immediately to see if it was towed and then reported it stolen.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Explained to the policeman that I live in the van and almost everything I own is in it.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Walked the neighborhood until 2am that night to see if it might happen to be a local theft. [/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Spoke to each of my neighbors individually about web cams and did they see anything.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Reported on the Northern California Van Dwellers FB group.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Posted on my own FB wall.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Asked everyone I know in the neighborhood, on FB and twitter, to look for it while they are out running errands and to make a couple of detours while they are at it. [/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Made sure that everyone had the license plate number.[/font]

[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]This was a new-to-me van and build-out and one of my next purchases was going to be the security cameras.[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]I do have an old iPhone 4 in there and I've currently sent off FindMyPhone to see if it could be found.[/font]

[font=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, HelveticaNeue,]Not lose hope.[/font]

 

[regis101]

Sorry to hear.
Bunch of savages in this town.
I’m in the East Bay and will bend an eye for ya

 

[kradel]

Thanks regis101!

Funny though, in 37 years of vanlife almost all of my problems have been in the past three months.

 

[regis101]

Berzerkeley beaten ya up. Damn shame.

I don't FB. Maybe try to place an ad on CL in the, Cars for Sale, with a few pic's

 

[cyndi]

I'm so sorry. I can't imagine ...

Can we share from your FB wall? There's a ton of nomad, camping and vandwellers FB pages. I'd be happy to share with the ones I follow. I'm guessing there would be a picture if you had one

 

[kradel]

Done!

 

[kradel]

Oh, my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.kradel

 

[Homeless in Canada]

If it was stolen for parts it would be the transmission.

 

[cyndi]

I've cross posted on FB, in several places.

 

[Doubleone]

It totally sucks, they took your van!    Keep checking-in with the local police every other day because they don't always phone victims when a vehicle is recovered.  Larger agencies tow and store the vehicle, and they have 48hrs to mail a notice of recovery.  Waiting for and receiving mail probably won't work well for a van dweller.  Be prepared to pay the tow and storage fees...

Thinking out loud... Most vehicles are stolen for transportation or joy rides, so it seems really odd for a cargo van to be stolen.  Certain vehicles like Civics would get stripped.  Considering motives... homies could use it as a getaway van for crip-style robberies but it would get dumped right after.  Sure they could take tires and parts, but stealing a van for something like an engine or trans seems like way too much work.  Thieves are creatures of habit, they tend to take path of least resistance.  If it were taken closer the the border I'd say it was off hauling chickens or dope down in Mexico, but you're a ways off.  Perhaps they thought it was a work van or had cargo inside and stole it thinking there were tools or goods in the back.  If so, they likely dumped it somewhere close right after they found the house inside.

Know that police don't actively look for stolen vehicles, it's more of a passive thing.  So it happens more often than you think... owners will find their own vehicles nearby.  I'm thinking it's already parked somewhere close by  waiting to be discovered.  I'd cruise around looking at side streets and alleys and such.  Starting from where it was taken, head out in each of the four directions and look for places where they could make a quick right turn off the roadway for privacy to inspect their loot.  If you were next to a freeway, check the first exit down, starting with the direction of easiest freeway access.  Tendency is the first right turn so they can quickly disappear from line of site...  They also caper in the areas they frequent, and that tends to be where they live.  I'll bet you a donut it's parked within 5 miles of where it was taken.   Good luck!

 

[kradel]

Just a quick update ...

No joy.

No news or anything, I'm still looking.

My mind is making up all kinds of crazy scenarios. But the one I try to hold on to is the best case scenario - someone thought it was a contractor's van and full of tools. When they pulled over to see their loot, surprise surprise, they took someone's home and their sensible shoes and underwear, and they just locked the doors and left it wherever that was and considering the time span that it's been gone, that's a place that doesn't really have parking meter people, timed parking, or permit parking or apparently crotchety neighbors that complain about vans being parked for far too long on their street.

 

[kradel]

THEY FOUND IT THIS MORNING!!

 

[Firtree]

Whee !!

 

[kradel]

Actually no. They totally destroyed the inside. And they took almost everything I own.

I don't even want it now. I'm just going to gut it and try to sell it as is.

 

[Wabbit]

I'm sorry to hear that Kradel. I can imagine if that happened to me, and it would be a devastating blow. I hope things come back together for you sooner rather than later.

 

[Doubleone]

Ohh!... that sucks!  Happy you got your ride back.  Still, feelin' for you..  Sending good vibes and best wishes...  Karma has a way of coming back, in both directions.  You're likely due for some positive Karma.  Keep a positive outlook and be open to some good vibes!

 

[BigT]

Vehicles are often stolen, esp. plain-looking, inconspicuous vehicles that won't get noticed or are hard for the police to spot, to be used for crimes and then dumped.  
This happened to both my brother and my neighbor.  With both cars the interiors were trashed but the cars were found and returned.  

I'm sorry for your loss but glad you at least have some closure and can stop wondering where it is.  

Hopefully you're able to replace it with something new.  If you do, make it stand out a little (zebra stripes?).  
Stealth is overrated, especially in the Bay Area where just about everybody is living in their cars/vans to survive the insane housing costs.  

Thieves suck.

 

[mugwah]

this sort of thing breaks my hart, I know what it's like. Years ago the car I was living in was stolen. Everything I owned was in that car right down to my job resume and my birth certificate The car was never found. I stayed angry about it for a long time. Im glad you got your van back. I take precautions with the van I now live in to help insure I do not get victimized again.

 

[Vesper]

Actually no. They totally destroyed the inside. And they took almost everything I own.

I don't even want it now. I'm just going to gut it and try to sell it as is.

Ms. Kradel
I'm glad they found your van. We live across the bay from you. If you reconsider and want to set up again, we can help outfit you from our extra camp equipment, no charge, pretty much complete .
PM me if you are interested, and I'll let you know what I have.
Ct

 

[Cammalu]

Really nice of you Vesper!