This is prelude to auto theft, right?

3,944 Views | 36 Replies | Last: 7 mo ago by Bigballin
P.H. Dexippus
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:44a, 5/30/25
AG
I'm heading to bed tonight when I get a motion alert in my driveway. It is a young woman whose face is just out of picture, who has walked through my yard, next to my Navigator and is jumping/waving something in front of my security light, seemingly testing it to see if it will trigger. She then proceeds to walk back to her car, which parked in the street and against traffic, and drives off. It looks like she is driving a silver SUV, likely an import.


I rush out to see if I can catch up to her and get a plate number. I spot a vehicle driving on my street that seems to be a match and get a plate number (temp tags). I followed for a while but did't get a good look at the driver before they pulled into a private drive a few miles away, reversed after I passed by and sped off.

https://imgur.com/a/VrC7jOR
This has to be someone casing the security system before her boyfriend comes back for auto theft, right? There's no other legitimate reason to behave like this that can think of. No friends that would prank me like this, and no kids old enough to be pranked.

Based on the security video, what's your thought on make/model? Did I track the correct car? Any leads on that temp plate?
Reply Quote
12
2 edits
sts7049
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:41a, 5/30/25
AG
looks like a 2016-ish kia sorento to me.

seems kinda odd to have a skinny white girl in workout clothes be the one to case the house, doesn't seem like the right type for that, but who knows these days.

i hope you were packing when you followed that car, because she may not have been alone either if it really was something nefarious.
Reply Quote
8
HollywoodBQ
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 5:33a, 5/30/25
AG
That is some risky activity.

As mentioned, if you're going vigilante, you better be prepared to return fire and possibly against multiple assailants.

After the summer of Floyd, I stopped parking my vehicles in front of my house in Los Angeles. Too much risk.

In all seriousness, if you're thinking your Navigator is going to get stolen, you probably need an improved security alarm for starters. One that triggers the lights if anyone walks near it.

As far as security cameras, I recommend a trailcam in your front yard surveiling the Navigator and/or one watching the street.

They're very programmable and can get high resolution to read license plates, etc. That would save you even getting out of bed much less potentially exposing yourself to hostile fire.

I'd share the surveillance camera video with local law enforcement because I'm sure you're not the only house that has been targeted.

Back to the trailcam idea, I'd have multiple ones so you can cover the blind spots which this girl successfully used to approach your garage.

Good Luck with it.

Remember the quote from the Emilio Estevez movie "Repo Man", "Only an a-hole gets killed over a car".
Reply Quote
9
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:15a, 5/30/25
No, it doesn't seem like pre-theft behavior to me but people are weird, who knows. What time of night was this exactly?

It looks like she is carrying some type of yard sign or sales placard? Jumping up on the side of the driveway, looks more like she was trying to see over a side fence - I don't see any camera waving? The camera and camera light was already on when she jumped, so why would she need to jump there to test the camera? It really seems like someone at the wrong house to me. We've had someone walk up and lift up our door mat to look under it, look around, then walk away. It struck me as nefarious at first but everything about the person just did not match criminal behavior - body language and speed of movement just seemed completely unconcerned.

I've seen dozens of car theft - both theft of contents and theft of car - video on the Ring and Nextdoor apps over the years. Never seen a woman involved, always 1 or 2 men. Not that it's not possible it just doesn't fit what I've seen, women are slower at fleeing and make poor yard criminals - I mean just look at that weak ass vert.
Reply Quote
1 edit
JobSecurity
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:37a, 5/30/25
AG
You pay for insurance presumably. Maybe let them pay for a new car and not make your family bury you
Reply Quote
11
P.H. Dexippus
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Complete Idiot • 7:40a, 5/30/25
AG
10:36pm. She was jumping in front of our garage doors, which do have windows at the top row. I suppose she could've been trying to jump to get a look inside, but at 6', I can't meaningly see in from where she was at. She was not near the front door or side fence. I think the sign/item she is holding up was to hide her face from the camera..
Reply Quote
1 edit
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:44a, 5/30/25
The 10:36 time further cements my belief this had nothing to do with theft.
Reply Quote
2
Aggie_Boomin 21
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:33a, 5/30/25
AG
I don't think the car you followed is the same one that she drove off in, but could be wrong.
Reply Quote
1
HollywoodBQ
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 8:37a, 5/30/25
AG
After re-watching the videos just now on a full screen instead of my phone, it reminded me about the security camera I setup in the alley behind my house in LA after a neighbor got his moped stolen from his parking space.

It sounds like you've got audio but, on my camera (Eufy brand, obviously there are lots on the market), I had an app on my phone that would allow two-way audio so I didn't even have to be home to interact once the app alerted me to activity on the camera.

The other thing I had on my camera was motion tracking. She might have been jumping to see if your camera would motion track her.

If she was movement testing your camera, she could have also been trying to see how long it would track for and how long did it take to reset. From memory, I think mine was set to track for 30 seconds before returning home once no more activity was detected.
Reply Quote
1
AgGrad99
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:02a, 5/30/25
AG
It looks like a Ford explorer in the first video. not sure it's the same car as the one you followed.

I dont think she was up to anything. It looks like she has a drink in her other hand. Can't imagine too many car thieves are out in Lululemon shorts and a workout top, with a drink in one hand...and never look at the vehicle.

I think they were trying to find someone's house and went to the wrong one.
Reply Quote
1
2 edits
akaggie05
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:21a, 5/30/25
AG
Looks like a lost mom looking for a house to place a sign or drop something off. Was she jumping to see your address number maybe? Also agree that there was no point in her jumping after the light came on.

Doesn't look like pre-theft activity to me. We've had our share of that in our neighborhood recently. From the videos circulating, all the crap tends to go down between 3-5am, and it's typically young males, usually wearing neck gaiters or similar concealment. One that I saw recently showed a dude walking into a garage that had accidentally been left open, carrying a pistol and he casually chambered a round as he walked up. That was nice to see.
Reply Quote
1
P.H. Dexippus
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to akaggie05 • 9:24a, 5/30/25
AG
No, house number is on the curb. I don't see anything that indicates she's a mother. It's also strange that she did not stop in front of our house. She cut through neighbors' yard coming and going.
Reply Quote
1
cena05
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:39a, 5/30/25
AG
All the lights do look the same on the car from the videos, aside from the top brake light that isnt visiable in the first 2 videos.
Reply Quote
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:22a, 5/30/25
Really the only thing that gives me pause is the paper plates, I can read the numbers on the plate - you could take this to the Outdoors board if you want to take this further and learn where the lady's relatives live and her blood type - but I can't make out the date. If it's a paper plate AND way out of date, I get more curious but I do see a Carmax tag and she's stopping and signaling, just not criminal behavior.

With the time this happened, her clothes, her body language and actions - I'm 98% sure it's nothing.
Reply Quote
5
TexAg2016
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:31a, 5/30/25
AG
To add fun context… I'm 99% sure she's holding a large Coors Light sign.

I really don't think this has anything to do with theft… but it is strange.
Reply Quote
2
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 10:32a, 5/30/25
P.H. Dexippus said:
I don't see anything that indicates she's a mother.
And this really made me laugh
Reply Quote
3
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to akaggie05 • 10:36a, 5/30/25
akaggie05 said:
From the videos circulating, all the crap tends to go down between 3-5am, and it's typically young males, usually wearing neck gaiters or similar concealment.
This is 99% of every neighborhood theft video I've seen. And they don't care about cameras.

We recently had our first porch package stolen - we've had thousands of packages over 2 decades - and it was a guy walking with someone else in jacket, cap, gaiter, backpack. It was at 5:30 AM though, which I found pretty risky because people are heading out at that hour.
Reply Quote
1
BrazosDog02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 10:51a, 5/30/25
AG
Having had thieves break into something (buildings), I too have pursued them twice, through two counties to get a plate. I recommend being armed with a few magazines and be fully prepared mentally, financially, and physically to deal with whatever repercussions come of it. If you have to speed or break traffic laws and you kill someone doing it, you're going to be screwed.

Personally, I support what you did because f- thieves. Sometimes you have to do police jobs yourself. That said, once you determine they are paper tags, you can pull off the chase. If it's a paper tag, you are getting nothing from anyone, Including the police. They did not actually commit a crime and the local police aren't going to work in shifts at the lab with biometrics to chase down someone with a video or paper plates. It sucks.

My suggestion is to put the vehicles in the garage.
Reply Quote
9
KDubAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HollywoodBQ • 11:17a, 5/30/25
AG
Which trail cams would you recommend, esp ones that could read license plates
HomeSmart Houston
Mobile: 713.775.5997

Email: Kevin@KevinWillRealty.com
Reply Quote
1
ME92
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:24a, 5/30/25
AG
Lots of suggestions here about cameras and such.

I know that some kind of aftermarket system exists that makes a car harder for the average thief to steal but I don't remember its name or how it worked.

It might be an idea for you if somebody else can remember the info about that system.

Reply Quote
txyaloo
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ME92 • 11:46a, 5/30/25
AG
ME92 said:
Lots of suggestions here about cameras and such.

I know that some kind of aftermarket system exists that makes a car harder for the average thief to steal but I don't remember its name or how it worked.

It might be an idea for you if somebody else can remember the info about that system.

Are you thinking about the Ravelco?
Reply Quote
Tumble Weed
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BrazosDog02 • 11:47a, 5/30/25
BrazosDog02 said:
Having had thieves break into something (buildings), I too have pursued them twice, through two counties to get a plate. I recommend being armed with a few magazines and be fully prepared mentally, financially, and physically to deal with whatever repercussions come of it. If you have to speed or break traffic laws and you kill someone doing it, you're going to be screwed.

Personally, I support what you did because f- thieves. Sometimes you have to do police jobs yourself. That said, once you determine they are paper tags, you can pull off the chase. If it's a paper tag, you are getting nothing from anyone, Including the police. They did not actually commit a crime and the local police aren't going to work in shifts at the lab with biometrics to chase down someone with a video or paper plates. It sucks.

My suggestion is to put the vehicles in the garage.
I agree. Clear the junk out of your garage and park the most expensive one in there. Both if you can. Don't be an easy target.

Cops don't care about what you have on video. They don't care about the property getting stolen.

They will show up and collect the body of the thief after the altercation.
Reply Quote
aggiepaintrain
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:58a, 5/30/25
AG
I'm not seeing this as anything but someone who's lost
Reply Quote
5
RingOfive
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:08p, 5/30/25
AG
This is some next level paranoia.
Reply Quote
6
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:09p, 5/30/25
Any birthdays coming up? Looks like a secret gift delivery from one mom to another.
Reply Quote
2
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ME92 • 12:21p, 5/30/25
AG
ME92 said:
Lots of suggestions here about cameras and such.

I know that some kind of aftermarket system exists that makes a car harder for the average thief to steal but I don't remember its name or how it worked.

It might be an idea for you if somebody else can remember the info about that system.

I have an Igla system on my truck. Even with the keys to the truck, they're not going anywhere. I prefer it over the Ravelco because I can still remote start the truck.
Reply Quote
1
Complete Idiot
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to RingOfive • 12:21p, 5/30/25
RingOfive said:
This is some next level paranoia.
After looking at the user profile, the paranoia makes sense.
Reply Quote
P.H. Dexippus
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Complete Idiot • 12:41p, 5/30/25
AG
Complete Idiot said:
RingOfive said:
This is some next level paranoia.
After looking at the user profile, the paranoia makes sense.
After looking at your username, your post makes sense.

Even without junk, the Navigator does not fit in my 1964 garage unfortunately.

I am giving serious consideration to the IGLA.
Reply Quote
2
HDeathstar
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:47p, 5/30/25
HOA member taking a picture of your trashcans that are visible from the street.
Reply Quote
6
BrazosDog02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HDeathstar • 1:21p, 5/30/25
AG
HDeathstar said:
HOA member taking a picture of your trashcans that are visible from the street.
I don't know. Most HOA enforcement people I see are white males 30+ years old and no taller than 5'4".

I kid, I kid. After seeing the video on my big computer screen, that person doesn't profile as being there for bad, BUT, that is absolutely no time or place to be doing whatever she's doing. I'd still remain vigilant. There is no such thing as paranoia these days.
Reply Quote
1 edit
HollywoodBQ
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to KDubAg • 2:22p, 5/30/25
AG
KDubAg said:
Which trail cams would you recommend, esp ones that could read license plates
There have been a few good threads over on the Outdoor Board regarding trailcams.
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2981577

For me, the one I use for reading license plates at my Nevada property is a Browning. Pretty much anything over 12MP and you'll be in great shape.

The one I used at my house in California for watching birds in my front yard and rats in the fruit trees in my backyard was a different brand. I want to say it was possibly Bushnell.

Anyway, that Browning will capture license plates on a moving vehicle 60 feet away. Obviously less performance at night and then you get into all kinds of games regarding the infrared led illumination.

The funny thing about setting up the camera to watch birds in my front yard in LA was that I also wound up capturing every vehicle and every person who passed in front of my house. So I do speak from accidental experience in that regard.
Reply Quote
1
Captain Winky
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:22p, 5/30/25
Yeah, a car isn't worth losing your life over. I know someone in San Antonio who had some punk ass kids looking through their vehicles and he just came out of his house from across the street and the little sh/t fired off a few shots at him. It wasn't even his car/house, but he is lucky to be alive.
Reply Quote
HollywoodBQ
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 2:31p, 5/30/25
AG
P.H. Dexippus said:
Complete Idiot said:
RingOfive said:
This is some next level paranoia.
After looking at the user profile, the paranoia makes sense.
After looking at your username, your post makes sense.

Even without junk, the Navigator does not fit in my 1964 garage unfortunately.

I am giving serious consideration to the IGLA.
One requirement for purchasing my last 3 houses - my 1999 Expedition had to be able to fit into the garage.

With 4x4 and the load leveling suspension, it needs 6'5" of clearance. It would clear the height check at the Glendale Galleria as long as I didn't drive too fast.

Nowadays, with my long wheelbase 7 Series, length is more of a concern than height. That front camera comes in handy for parking. And relevant to your potential theft situation, I leave the 760 Li in the garage at all times unless I'm going on a road trip. I'd be happy if my neighbors didn't even know I had it and I don't want passersby to ever see it.
Reply Quote
1
Ciboag96
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:31p, 5/30/25
Even if you would have record her breaking into your car and hauling ass, the cops would do nothing.

Give them the video. Nothing.
Give them the Facebook page of said young entrepreneur. Nothing.
Give them the address of their home. Nothing.

They would eventually find the car parked somewhere it shouldn't be a call you to come get it.
Reply Quote
4
Bigballin
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:01p, 5/30/25
AG
OP's goomar planning a surprise
Reply Quote
2
Page 1 of 2 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.