any chance you took it in for service somewhere recently? maybe they cloned your key?

Do you have both original keys in your possession?

Have you checked with all of the businesses on the alameda for security cam footage? There should be at least one that would've caught something.

Also, I don't think this has been asked: was the car purchased new or used? And if used, how recently? Any chance a previous owner (if there is one) would have a duplicate key?

no way, if it's going for parts the parts are going to shady junkyards and body shops, plenty around who won't look twice at VIN tags and paint right over them 'cause they'll pocket an extra $100 vs. getting legit parts.

You live at an apartment complex in Los Angeles WITHOUT security cameras?

... move out

“Northern California” under Regional Forums.

He lives in San Jose.

I googled the address. I would check with that pawn shop next door, they probably have camera's font and rear. The fence does seem pretty low, so someone could have easily jumped it.

UPDATE: They found it! But it's probably totaled. Part of an 'ongoing investigation' which probably means that someone took it to the sideshow up by Uvas and rammed it into some poor sot's Mustang or a tree. I'll post a pic when I get to see it, but it'll be pretty gnarly according to the cops.

Talked to the pawn shop, apparently the cops already got the footage from them but the coverage doesn't extend over to our side, only the front lot and a little bit of the parking lot out back on their side.

Tell me about it on the lack of security cams. Apparently it'd cost a fortune to install any halfway-decent ones which is why they haven't done so yet. I'm wondering how many other cars need to get broken into or stolen for the scales to balance.

Thanks for all the help guys, it's shit like this and the response on here that makes me happy to be part of the community!

I'm glad they found it, sorry it's totaled :( hopefully they catch the POS who took it. Might be worth getting lowjack or something installed on your next car if your parking it in the same place just in case. I've been locking my garage in my apartment complex ever since your post, it should be a wake-up call for everyone in the Bay Area on these forms to make theft as difficult as possible.

Please give us an update if you ever hear the cops catching the thief.