My STI Was Stolen 8/7/10

[NoVa 2.0]

So I traveled to New Jersey this weekend for my best friends wedding and my STI got jacked! (Stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott, Princeton/South Brunswick, 4225 US Highway 1 P.O. Box 8388, Princeton, New Jersey 08543.)

Was in the process of getting ready for the wedding reception, when I heard my car alarm going off? Looked out the window and some guy hotwiring my whip. I was literally in my boxers and ran outside. I tried to grab the car door handle and it was locked, so I banged on the glass etc... but the guy got it started and pulled out of the spot. My wife was freaking out, and the guy actually had another guy with him that sped off behind him in an Acura TSX? The most surreal thing it was in the middle of the day, like 6pm? Had to call 5.0, file a report, call the insurance, etc

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up and let you know to be careful if traveling in this area. Luckily lots of folks were there from College that we knew, so we were able to get a ride back to the DC area this afternoon.

Here are a few photos & the specs on the car; I assume it stripped down by now. Now I gota deal with all the headache of working with the insurance and my bank on the appraisal. LOL

Engine / Intake:
APS 70mm CAI with Amsoil EA conical filter EaAU3570
Forge coolant tank
Koyo radiator
ARC radiator caps
Samco radiator hoses
ARFab crank damper
Amsoil EA oil filter EAO13 1 inch longer than stock & synthetic media
Amsoil EURO 5W40 oil (for turbo/supercharged cars)

Turbocharger & Induction:
FP Green 8cm, 3" inlet, 34mm wastegate, ceramic coated
NISMO 740cc injectors tested/cleaned by Deatchwerks
APS turbo inlet coated by Swain
JDM TGV deletes coated by Swain
KS Technologies Phenolic Intake Manifold (TGV) spacers
APS DR525 FMIC (black core) pipes JetHot coated silver
ProDrive boost solenoid
above mods installed by Agile in MD.

Exhaust:
Stromung Catless downpipe, coated by Swain
MadDad hi-flow catted pipe included - SS, not coated
B&B TriFlow catback twin tip
APS equal length header with APS up-pipe coated by Swain
ECU Tuning / Fuel:
Cobb Access Port V1
ProTune by Agile
255l fuel pump
1 step colder plugs
Drivetrain:
KartBoy short shifter and bushings
Prova shift knob
Whiteline crossmember bushings
GT-Spec rear diff brace
Kartboy pitch-stop mount
Cusco mounts
Cusco trans mount

Suspension:
Whiteline 27/29mm front swaybar
Kartboy front endlinks
Cusco adj rear sway bar
Poltec Billet adj trailing arms
PolTec rear endlinks
Car Labs Chromoly X-brace
Group N rear tophats
TiC fender cowl braces
Whiteline steering bushing
Whiteline ALK
GT-Spec under brace
Whiteline diff lock bolts
Whiteline rear bushings
RCE black non-lowering camber plates
APR front strut tower bar
KW Variant 3 coilovers

Brakes:
ATE Super Blue fluid
StopTech SS lines
CarboTech Bobcat pads

Wheels & Tires:
MB Weapon's, Bronze 18x8 + 45
Ray's Engineering Anodized Red Lugs
Goodyear GSDS 3 235s

Interior:
CarbonConcepts driver oriented CF gauge pod
MadDad V2 Ti gauges - Boost, EGT, Oil Pressure
Alpine HU, Focal front speakers, Alpine rear speakers
ProDrive floor mats
Subaru carpet trunk liner
SecondSkin sound deadner - trunk/doors/floor

Exterior:
WRX trunk - factory new, painted to match with factory deck lid and 3rd brake light
WRX side skirts - factory new, not used
WRX strakes - factory new, not used
JDM (real) rear spats
Grill mod
V-limited front lip (replica)
KSTechnologies scoop delete

 

[Kain]

Having lived near the Princeton area for about 5 years, all I can say is that Jersey is the 3-week unwashed taint of America.

 

[ms6acton]

that sucks huge gl with all the insurance stuff. keep us updated!

 

[toyotech]

Get the plate on the TSX i take it?

best of luck to u but i've seen this happen too many times in north jersey?

 

[bsuhsc]

I'm sorry to hear that man :-(. Damn

 

[NoVa 2.0]

Get the plate on the TSX i take it?

best of luck to u but i've seen this happen too many times in north jersey?

No, And I agree now that kill switches and fuel cutoffs are the way to go. But unfortunately that wasnt the road I took this time.

Like I said, I went to NJ for a wedding. Not to hang out, party, sight see, etc. So my judgment of researching the area I was traveling to was clouded by the weekend being dedicated to the wedding and the hotel that was recomenened.

I agree, the guy either spotted it while I was out or followed us back, or it was an inside job. Housekeepers boy friend picked her up, saw the car, and called his buddy type of deal. Ironically like I said, things slowed down sooo fast, but he had to have had it hotwired in less than a min, min tops. With no clothes on, I felt limited to really break any windows, etc. And I know folks say, I would have done this, or that. But I also had my wife outside yelling and screaming and I had to ensure she wasnt going to get run over by the guy when he pulled out of the space. I have no doubt in my mind he would have run either one of us down if we stood in front of the car.

I'm the process of submitting all the paperwork and have been researching 08-10 STI's. Trust me; my next car will rely on more than a factory car alarm. I thank all of you for your support, and I will keep you posted.

 

[mspHtown]

No, And I agree now that kill switches and fuel cutoffs are the way to go. But unfortunately that wasnt the road I took this time.

Like I said, I went to NJ for a wedding. Not to hang out, party, sight see, etc. So my judgment of researching the area I was traveling to was clouded by the weekend being dedicated to the wedding and the hotel that was recomenened.

I agree, the guy either spotted it while I was out or followed us back, or it was an inside job. Housekeepers boy friend picked her up, saw the car, and called his buddy type of deal. Ironically like I said, things slowed down sooo fast, but he had to have had it hotwired in less than a min, min tops. With no clothes on, I felt limited to really break any windows, etc. And I know folks say, I would have done this, or that. But I also had my wife outside yelling and screaming and I had to ensure she wasnt going to get run over by the guy when he pulled out of the space. I have no doubt in my mind he would have run either one of us down if we stood in front of the car.

I'm the process of submitting all the paperwork and have been researching 08-10 STI's. Trust me; my next car will rely on more than a factory car alarm. I thank all of you for your support, and I will keep you posted.

sorry to hear that. i could never carry a gun, for this very reason. there wasnt much you could do, no sense in putting you or your wife in harms way. im assuming you talked with the hotel if they had video surveillance of the lot. and im assuming they either didnt or they didnt record anything useful?

 

[haze20]

That sucks man. Your STI was clean as hell. I remember it from the dyno day when you first got it.

 

[Speakerboxxx]

I hope this has a good end to it and I'm sorry for your loss. I wouldn't know what to do if it was my ride stolen.

 

[NoVa 2.0]

That sucks man. Your STI was clean as hell. I remember it from the dyno day when you first got it.

Thanks Haze, i've always been a fan of your MSP as well.

Someone asked for the VIN incase the person who stole the car was dumb enough to part it out and then sell parts on forums, Craigslist, EBAY, etc...

The VIN is (JF1GD70604L517664)

Thanks for everyones help

 

[ms6acton]

did you post this on nosiac?

 

[NoVa 2.0]

did you post this on nosiac?

Yea i am on Nasioc and IWSTI.

 

[superdoughboy4]

No, And I agree now that kill switches and fuel cutoffs are the way to go. But unfortunately that wasnt the road I took this time.

Like I said, I went to NJ for a wedding. Not to hang out, party, sight see, etc. So my judgment of researching the area I was traveling to was clouded by the weekend being dedicated to the wedding and the hotel that was recomenened.

I agree, the guy either spotted it while I was out or followed us back, or it was an inside job. Housekeepers boy friend picked her up, saw the car, and called his buddy type of deal. Ironically like I said, things slowed down sooo fast, but he had to have had it hotwired in less than a min, min tops. With no clothes on, I felt limited to really break any windows, etc. And I know folks say, I would have done this, or that. But I also had my wife outside yelling and screaming and I had to ensure she wasnt going to get run over by the guy when he pulled out of the space. I have no doubt in my mind he would have run either one of us down if we stood in front of the car.

I'm the process of submitting all the paperwork and have been researching 08-10 STI's. Trust me; my next car will rely on more than a factory car alarm. I thank all of you for your support, and I will keep you posted.

Wow. ******* ridiculous, man. I'm really sorry to hear your loss.
But really, you were thinking clearly. You were right to keep your wife safe. Would've been much better to lose just your car, rather than possibly losing your wife's life, or your own.
Hope everything goes well with the paper work.

 

[Khemraj]

damn that sucks bro, my condolences...

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

You werent behind on payments were you? that was pretty out in the open and fast... Might try calling around to some repo shops in the area and see if a contract was out on your car...

 

[fkmp5]

I don't think they followed him to another state to repo his car... but ya never know. also, they would probably use a tow truck and not hot wire it.

sorry for your loss. you did the right thing, even if you had been able to break a window, that wouldn't have done much except you might try to reach in or climb in when he took off and get yourself hurt.

my last car was stolen from in front of my house. it sucks. same thing, heard the alarm, then saw them drive off. they're good. police found it the next day stripped. i was pretty upset at first, but got over it. it's just a car and i didn't get hurt. i came home from work late (3am?) and they stole it like 15 mins later. so it was eery to think they were there watching/waiting for me and/or followed me home. glad i didn't get hurt, and glad that you and your wife did not get hurt.

 

[msp03.5]

Nooooooooooo! damnit man thats crap! I am sorry but at the same time glad you and your wife are ok. I hope your car comes back in good shape. I love your STi. Keep us updated for sure.
I think snooki did it...

 

[Sigmabond]

You werent behind on payments were you? that was pretty out in the open and fast... Might try calling around to some repo shops in the area and see if a contract was out on your car...

If it were repoed the cops would have known anyways

 

[NoVa 2.0]

You werent behind on payments were you? that was pretty out in the open and fast... Might try calling around to some repo shops in the area and see if a contract was out on your car...

Never missed a payment man. I had my Mazda for 7 years, those who know me on this forum and have seen my STI knew years before i bought the STI that was the car i had always wanted and ended up getting a few years ago. Nice logic though, but i work hard for my money and would never have thought about missing a payment on the STI.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

That is rediculous! I really hope your car is found!