Vandals Jumped on My Car's Roof-What to Do?

This happened in a small town of southern NSW.
Yesterday night, around 11.30 pm, my wife and I heard some noises in front of my house. Two or three young people were yelling and laughing. Then we heard some other noises, like hitting or crashing. I got out of the house directly to the street and they were already gone. I only saw that one of the guys was wearing a cap. My car was parked in front my house. When I checked my car, I realized that the roof was partly collapsed. One of them, most probably, had jumped on my car's roof.

I drove around area and after 5 mins I saw three guys, aged between 18-22. One of them was wearing a cap. They were all drunk; one was totally gone, the other two were ok. Where I found them was 5 min walking to my house. I asked them why you did it, what is your problem etc. We had a verbal quarrel. They denied that they did it. As I was really pissed off, I yelled at them and they yelled at me. We had a serious talk with one of them especially and I took photo of him. I realized that I would get nothing from them, as I had no evidence. I left there with my car.

I drove some more around the area, and came back to my house. Then I realized that one of the guys, the one I had a serious talk, was in front of my house with two girl friends. They were quarrelling among each other. I waited for them. The girls were trying to convince the guy not to anything wrong. After a minute they were gone. I had not told them where my car was parked exactly. I just had told them the name of the street. And they were there, exactly where my car had been parked, which made me thought they were the ones who did that.
I went to the police station today, and they told me that they cannot do anything because there is no camera records or witnesses. I called the police and got a case number for insurance.
What are your suggestions?
The dented parts are not really big, but still recognizable.
I have a comprehensive insurance. If I make a claim, do I have to pay excess fee? Or should I get it repaired myself?
There seems to be nothing I can do about the guys, as I had no solid evidence. So, do you think I should stop following that case and continue the life?

Thanks

Comments

  • +37

    If I make a claim, do I have to pay excess fee?

    obviously

  • +25

    Set your car on fire.

    • or say it was hail damage…

  • +1

    I really have no faith in humanity now.

      • +60

        … the f…?

      • +2

        & the most downvoted comment award goes to…

      • +3

        What a weird worldview you have. The sins of others committed against you are somehow 'your fault' due to the sins you committed against others in a 'past life'….

      • +1

        My eyes bleed when I read this comment.

      • Previous birth? What are you, stupid?

      • Grandma is that you, back from the dead?

    • +33

      Well, one or two humans doing something wrong doesn't make me lose faith in humanity. That phrase is actually one of the most annoying phrases I keep hearing. It's something that should be said for severe events. Maybe if you witnessed an whole town burned to the ground in war, or an entire village kicking out the orphaned and weak, not small occurrences like this.

      • +16

        Yep. Everytime I read that phrase I lose faith in humanity.

        • +1

          Well, one or two humans doing something wrong doesn't make me lose faith in humanity. That phrase is actually one of the most annoying phrases I keep hearing. It's something that should be said for severe events. Maybe if you witnessed an whole town burned to the ground in war, or an entire village kicking out the orphaned and weak, not small occurrences like this :p

      • Don't worry I hear it way too often.

    • +41

      I saw someone speeding the other day. 84 in an 80. Has made me completely give up on life, i really have no faith in humanity now. The entire human race, the whole world. Nothing.

      • +5

        but what if you were calibrated wrong and you were doing 75 and he was doing 80?

        • +14

          My calibration was set up wrong I have no faith in humanity now, no point breathing.

      • +5

        I thought my life was meaningless and then I realized there is somewhere out there a person who installs indicators on BMW's

    • +2

      Yi outdoor camera, it's on sale. Get it for a total of $96 after cash back.

    • +2

      I regained faith — the poster was not beaten, stabbed or shot when he approached the suspects. A positive outcome after approaching drunk hoons

  • -2

    Bikies….

    • +14

      ive got video of the actual incident.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdN57GuNkxo

      • +2

        I was hoping it would be this video, and I was not disappointed

        • +2

          yeah OP and the alleged perp met when they had trials at West Ham.

        • @imtahir7:
          He's just a friend

    • +1

      When is this forum going to get over this "joke"

      Seriously.. there is a point where it needs to end. Please, good people of OzBargain, make it stop. It hurts.

      • -4

        Awee just one word triggered you? That's sad

      • +10

        at least they weren't jumping on the bonut on the $80k investment vehicle.

        • -1

          Yeah, the 80k vehicle is no longer funny

        • +1

          I wish someone would jump on my 'bonut'

  • Buy some cameras

    • Then the cops would probably expect you to identify them before investigating!

      • i don't think so, as how would you know every person on the planet. This comment makes no sense.

        what it does allow you to provide evidence to convict them when they are finally apprehended. You could also spray the pictures over facebook.

        • It was meant to be a poke at the cops not investigating serious vandalism which the op witnessed, because there were no other witnesses or camera footage.

          I mean it's just another step in the decline of society assisted by the decline in police responsibility.

    • +4

      Camera only gives false sense of security. We had security footage of a robber in action and the police couldn't even be bothered to look at it. The reason was 'how do we prove it was him' … pretty pathetic .

      • Robbery isn’t the greatest cr8me in the world for the, to be worried about

        It’s a deterrent at the very least , but I’m sure if your wife was bashed or shot, threatened etc you appreciate having a cements then in an attempt to get the, behind bars.

        • cement = camera
          the, = them

          stupid phone

        • This is my point above, it's becoming the norm to only expect police to investigate serious bashings, rapes and decent people having a beer in a park etc. How soon before we get to the point where they only investigate murders, then only serial killers?

          Do we get a reduction in our taxes if we have to protect and police our own property and selves? Can we have the laws changed so we can do that?

      • Use Iphone X as a security camera for a face detection device. Then you can prove it LOL

        • +1

          Funny you say that, the robber got his hands on a bunch of our keys, so we decided to put one of the 2 cars on the line by telling the police to track it with a phone hooked to the car. They said, hhhmmm you know what a great idea, we will think about that, we don't have that system, will speak to constable and get back to you. After not hearing back, we even offered to setup the tracking as long as they were in it with us. Guess what, they weren't interested. We said we will complain, they said please do. We knew the pointless behavior and result of an ombudsman complaint by a friend and so decided to move on.
          Police in Sydney is shit - and they use my money. They are only good for traffic fines!

        • -1

          @dealmaker: Maybe they are amongst the minority. I mean your local police. Now they learn the lesson.

        • @dealmaker: THey can't agree as they probably don't have the authorisation to carry evidence collection using new tech legally. What you requested may be unreasonable.

          Now if you setup the tracking and goto them when the car IS stolen and tell them the perp is in the car or at some location and you can see where they are, no doubt they'd follow it up immediately as catching someone red-handed is very exciting.

          They love being given crims on a plate, makes them look good and buys more donuts!

        • @zerovelocity:

          Dude every single thing they did, from finger prints to investigation (lack of) was a whole new level of pathetic police work.
          They were only interested in ticking the box, sign here, etc, that's all.

        • @dealmaker: Didn't say they are.

          Your situation was nothing exciting, there'll not be crime scene setup. You were lucky they even bothered dusting for prints for such vandalism.

  • -7

    Park the car in your garage? camera is good option too but in dark your still hard to prove it was them.

    • +4

      WTF

      • +10

        You called??

        • +1

          Hello it's me

    • +5

      That’s right. People should park their cars on their roof

      • Secure lockup garage

        Why would you risk leaving your car on the street?

        • maybe u dont have room in ur garage?

        • +8

          I know it's life's most difficult concept to understand but I'll spare a minute to teach you since I'm feeling generous. Not everyone has a lockup garage. Don't let this fact shock you too much

        • +3

          Garage is full of eneloops.

      • +12

        i initially read that as in, park your car, on its roof

        i suppose an upside down car cant get its roof stomped?

        • +1

          😂

  • +29

    Turn the car into a convertible. Removing the roof is easier than repairing it.

  • +7

    Claim it on insurance, you're not going to get anything out of anyone without paying.

    In the future get a camera with good night-vision and point it at the front of your house, $70 investment for peace of mind that you'll at least know who did it next time.

    • +5

      I was thinking buying a camera. After this, I will definitely buy one.

  • +49

    When you confronted them you should have told all 3 of them to sit in the car (make sure one is sitting in the drivers seat) and look at the damage they did, then leave the car there, walk home, call the cops and tell them your car was stolen.

    Finger prints wil show the 3 thugs were in your car and probably stole it

    • +7

      That’s actually a very good idea. I would of called my mates and smashed them on the spot but this is more effective.
      +1 for you

      • -4

        *have

        Also, how, what's the word, prehistoric of you. I had thought the neanderthals were extinct, so it's quite exciting to learn of your existence.

        • -4

          I wood of thort gramma an speling is sumthang yu lern bye grayd 3

          I keep seeing would-of used everywhere. Did they remove concatenation from the curriculum or something?

        • +1

          That's right, I'm just glad that the victim has to waste all his time and money sorting this and the poor vandals don't have to deal with it. The victim sounds like a terrible person to be honest.
          Wtf

        • +1

          @Blitzfx:
          Theirs a kriculam?

    • +4

      I really like the idea, it is perfect! I wish I could have thought of it.

    • How did they get the keys? Would then need to fake an entry point into the house and then explain how you didn’t hear that

      • +6

        I left the car running while i went inside to get my bottle of water. Was less than a minute officer I swear

        • +2

          It’s an offense to leave car running unattended isn’t it..although unsure of the definition if it’s acceptable while on your own property lol
          Can anyone help out OP?

        • +2

          Your insurer won't cover this though.

        • Bad advice. Insurance won't pay out if you leave the car running unattended

        • Awesome. You've broken the law AND your insurance now won't cover you.

      • You could tell them you got carjacked…

    • no sign of break in and hot wiring though?

  • +27

    Cops are (profanity) useless - I was road raged. All captured on dash cam including picture of other driver and his number plates.

    8 months later - nothing.

    In that time I have seen on TV police takes action in 4 similar cases.

    • +1

      I was road raged.

      were you assaulted?

      • +9

        I was - kicked as I was getting out of my car.

    • -3

      #SorryNotSorry

    • +25

      People seem to be under the mistaken belief that the police are there to help you. Even a good cop doesn't see their job as "protecting and serving" but as avoiding paperwork at all costs. A crooked cop can become your worst nightmare.

      • I just wanted the person identified for the insurers.

        Needless to say i had to forfeit the excess and, lost my NCB

        • +1

          At least you and your family are safe.

      • +2

        What a disgraceful sweeping generalisation.

        • +4

          Not really. I for one have never been done any good by a member of the police.

    • +6

      I had the opposite experience, was very surprised how well the police reacted for an incident. Police arrived quickly, guy concealed his number plates so I didn’t have it. Police were able to get the plates from a witness though. He was tracked down, arrested and charged within an hour or so. Police folllowed up with phone calls to let me know what was happening, and followed up again with the outcome of the hearing.

    • +1

      Really surprised to hear this as well. Police in Victoria helped us with a similar incident, had photos of the guy and a few partial plate photos (his mates tried obscuring it).

      This + the car make and model was enough to get the correct plates and the man was successfully charged in about 2-3 weeks. No excess for us!

      • I am in NSW - I guess the police must have a lot on.

        • Is it possible to try another police station? If they still don't take action maybe you can go to your local state MP.

        • @MonocleMoose: thanks will be doing just thatt.

        • +1

          Nope most Melbourne cops are the same. We had couple of idiots breaking into our backyard and stealing our animals (my dad had expensive birds that he had built a large bird house for)/personal items. Police wouldn't even show up for days to take the complaint. We finally caught two of them in our back yard, called the cops - no one showed. They left their bikes in our backyard as they ran off and they called the cops to get it back. When they finally showed up - all they did was take the bikes and give it back to them. Bikes that were in our private property - evidence that they indeed did break in. But nope. we were apparently at fault for obstructing them from running away with their bikes loaded with our stuff

    • +2

      My dad's neighbor shot my dad's shed with a rifle. Could see the bullet hole and everything. Reported it to the police who said "How do we know you didn't shoot your own shed?". My dad was like WTF? Cops are bloody useless around here.

    • +1

      Agree. I had several occasions with new police and always ended very unhappy with them as a victim. I guess unless it's a serious crime, or issuing you a infringement notice, the police usually just don't care.

    • +1

      Post it on social media and try to make it viral. I have seen similar videos on the main page of 9news. At that point the cops are forced to do something.

  • +5

    We have had a couple of car vandalising incidents. One was similar, the car roof was pushed in because someone walked across the roof. It was an old mini so we just pushed it up. The other was a smashed side window, which we claimed as it was a new car with electric mirrors. The cops are fairly useless on this, unless you have footage and even then it is unlikely anything will come of it and you are setting yourself up as a target. We now have off street parking, so we dont have the issue anymore. Vandals are just scum.

    • +4

      I have started parking in my garage, too. I learnt my lesson and luckily it was not costly. It is really difficult to understand how people can do this kind of things just for fun. You save money for so long, buy a new (used) car and two-three young jump on it! Rather than getting them pay my cost, I would really like them to be found guilty for what they did and feel sorry for it.

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