Suzuki Swift Wheel Caps Stolen While We Were on Vacation

0FoxGiven on 25/07/2017 - 15:09
Last edited 25/07/2017 - 15:45 by 2 other users

My partner and I had to fly back home for 11 days due to a family emergency. When we got back we see that the wheel caps of my Suzuki Swift which I had purchased just 3 months ago were gone. I live in a gated apartment complex with entry restricted to only those who have keys (Although, I guess it wouldn't be too hard for someone to climb over the gates) and my car was parked in my designated covered parking area. There are signs nearby that states that the area is monitored by CCTV (there is a heritage/tourist attraction right next door).

I have filed a police case but I have been told that this is a fairly common thing and the police didn't seem eager to investigate. I called up the rental agency and asked if such a theft was covered under my tenant policy but apparently it is not. I was also told that there is no actual CCTV coverage in the area (not surprising, because I never spotted a camera). I have a comprehensive car insurance cover but I don't want to make a claim as I would lose my No Claim Discount and my premium would later increase by an amount that would be more than the cost of the wheel caps.

Though the loss is nothing major, I hate that I'm at a loss. It's even more frustrating that the police don't seem to wanna investigate because I feel like it would be easy to narrow in on some suspects given that the area has restricted entry, it was just my car's caps that got stolen even though there where more fancy cars right next to it and the culprits somehow knew that I was not at home for a while (even though the car wasn't coated in dust or anything). It doesn't look likely that an outsider took the effort to jump the gate, take off just my car's caps and jump back over the gates with the caps.. all for something that would bring in maybe $50-70 (the caps were not new and shiny either) when sold off.

Any advice on how I can cover my loss or get something done about this?

Automotive

closed Comments

  • payless69 on 26/07/2017 - 09:21

    hardly a bargain, if you wish to endure "cultural" Melbourne just get a car with solid wheels instead of whining at bargain hunters.

    Move to Queensland where criminals get even bigger rewards!

    or even better post a piccie of how you "minced" them crooks

  • Ozpit on 26/07/2017 - 09:27
    +1

    Talking of police not being interested in petty crime: one morning, my next door neighbour caught two thieves attempting to break into his back shed in a Melb western suburb. The thieves jumped his back fence and he chased them down the road where they got into a car with its number plates removed. The car wouldn't start. He thought it best not to approach and watched them for several minutes as they fiddled under the hood, trying to start the car. My neighbour ran back home and called the police, saying if you send a car now you'll catch them. They said, mate, we can't send a car for 6-8 hours. They did eventually turn up late in the day, but of course the thieves were long gone by then (I like to think they called the RACV to help them out). Yes, the cops are under-resourced. Yes, petty criminals have little to fear these days. No, I don't know what the answer is.

    • JimmyF on 26/07/2017 - 10:27
      -2

      melb west…. nuff said I think.

    • D6C1 on 26/07/2017 - 21:35

      Cool story bro

  • OzzyOzbourne on 26/07/2017 - 09:31

    Yeah no money in solving crime. Your only hope for justice would be if the thief got caught speeding.

    File an official complaint against the police for not investigating a crime. It's the only way to get them to do their job.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 26/07/2017 - 09:38
    +2

    "have you got some hubcaps for my Suzuki swift"

    REPLY

    "sure, seems like a fair swap!"

  • Butt Scratcher on 26/07/2017 - 10:30
    +1

    You seriously filed a report to the police for this… and expected them to dig into this o.O. Just buy a new one and move on, if you are lucky you might be able to find one at a wrecking yard that is willing to sell it to you for dirt cheap.

    One of the tow bar cover on my car fell off/got taken, I did a quick search on gumtree and found the same car at a wrecker and just went there to grab it. They sold it to me for $5 bucks. Can't say you will find it for a similar price, but it might be worth looking into.

    Alternatively, get a new set which is so ugly that no one would be willing to steal it.

  • WT on 26/07/2017 - 10:43

    You can also replace them with hubcaps that bolt on via the studs so they are much more time consuming to steal.

  • furys12 on 26/07/2017 - 10:55

    I was also told that there is no actual CCTV coverage in the area

    This is the most "alarming" part of this whole story there could be people getting insurance discounts, which would then void any claim, if they have noted that there is cctv coverage of their parking spot and i guarantee it will fall on the person for "not confirming there are actually camera's"

  • jparga on 26/07/2017 - 12:28

    Buy a nice set of wheels to match your car…..and be happy….I would make that an excuse to get new wheels…..

  • Tasmaniac on 26/07/2017 - 13:10

    You could maybe engrave your name or something into the next ones you buy. That might just be enough to deter the thieves.

  • cyrax83 on 26/07/2017 - 13:19

    Lol who the hell steals shitty wheel hub caps. They are $20 for a pack of 4 from super cheap

  • gstfree on 26/07/2017 - 14:20
    +1

    My rearview mirror was stolen.

  • Hirolol on 26/07/2017 - 14:23

    just go to the wrreckers, they are fairly cheap there.

  • johnno07 on 26/07/2017 - 14:29

    it was just my car's caps that got stolen even though there where more fancy cars right next to it and the culprits somehow knew that I was not at home for a while

    In response to this. They probably didn't know you were away. And if the cars were fancy, they probably had mags. Furthermore, someone tried to break into my 1997 Falcon while it was parked at uni next to a Ferrari. They guessed (correctly) that I wouldn't have sort of anti-theft. Criminals generally go for low-hanging fruit.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/07/2017 - 16:56

      Probably why I like drunk chicks

      • D6C1 on 26/07/2017 - 21:37

        Or fat chicks.. fat chicks have a lot of love too

  • mataeka on 26/07/2017 - 17:04

    It sucks but you're at a loss - that's it. I had my bike stolen years back (my main form of transport) while I was at work. Reported it but as you said - cops weren't interested (particularly since I had no photos of my bike nor any identifying markers on the bike). I get there are worse issues but I seem like I had more cop interest at an attempted break in to my unit where nothing more than a door knob needed replacement vs an entire bike… yeah still mildly bitter since that bike was an 11th birthday pressie and needed zero maintenance. I miss that bike. Take it as a lesson in the untrustworthiness of some people

    • [Deactivated] on 26/07/2017 - 17:25
      -1

      Wow , unless you've 13 it's time to get over it

      Jebus Smites

      • Speckled Jim on 26/07/2017 - 18:52

        Fair go mate.

        I'd be sentimental over a bike that never needed the chain oiled, bearings greased or tyres inflated!

      • John Kimble on 26/07/2017 - 18:58

        I wish I had a Swift when I was 13. Although I guess I wouldn't legally have been allowed to drive it…

  • Odin on 26/07/2017 - 19:42

    I'd wager someone else had their hubcaps stolen, so they stole yours. Pretty shit. Sorry that it happened but i doubt there's much you could do of consequence. Too many people out there are just shitty

  • SpaceNinja on 26/07/2017 - 19:54

    Call Current Affair

  • Geryatric on 26/07/2017 - 20:34

    "I don't want to make a claim as I would lose my No Claim Discount"

    Check with your insurance company if Theft would affect your No Claim Discount. Typically only 'at fault claims' affect your NCD.

  • fozzie on 26/07/2017 - 21:30

    Sounds like op has a lot of time to spare….

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join