My Subaru STi was stolen over 8 years ago. I'll NOW be receiving reparation.

[wheelhaus]

Wow. I don't really know where to start. My first high performance car, a 2004 WRB STi (paid for by me) was my red Corvette growing up. It was the car I'd always wanted and finally had. After a year of ownership, it was lightly modded, catless TBE, minor brake work, STi springs, etc. It was my daily driver and track car and I loved it.

The night of December 30, 2005:
A friend was over, we were taking turns playing racing sims on my PC, my wife (GF at the time) was hanging pictures. Around 9pm she ran down to the disconnected apartment garage to grab some nails but couldn't find them and asked me to get them. We're on the 2nd story and look directly at said garage. I said "no babe, it's late, we shouldn't be banging on the walls, lets do it tomorrow." Well my buddy leaves around 11:30pm and calls me immediately as he's walking to his apartment in the next building...

"Hey man, where'd you park your car?"
"Uhh, in the garage. Why?"
"Uhhhh, it's not there."
"Ah hahaha, whatever, I'll see you tomorrow."
"No, dude I'm serious, it's not there."
"Wait wha..... WTF. WTF. WTF. WTF."

My wife's face goes white.

I look out the balcony and the garage is dark, sans car. But I was home the whole time... And AWAKE! I run downstairs and check the only few other parking spots I would have used, and call the police immediately. The cop arrived in less than 10 minutes. He was great, but gave me some spiel about Asian or Russian gang car theft rings.

My wife, still pale and a little shaky, tells me she feels like it's her fault because she left the garage door open. I give her a bug hug and say "not in the least, I've left that door open so many times, this is NOT your fault." She just starts crying.

Progressive was fantastic. My local case agent was also a car guy, he had a Legacy GT. He fought to get me every bit of value and we ended up breaking even vs the loan so I didn't have to pay, but I didn't get anything, either. I was still upside down, so this was actually good news. By the end of January the paperwork was finalized and I was cleared to buy a replacement, which turned out to be an '06 Evo MR. Fantastic car, but that's another topic... Turns out after talking to other members of local and nationwide forums that there was a rash of Subaru thefts around that time (a lot in the Denver area).

Fast forward 6 months later (summer '06), I received some documents from the local court, stating the defendant's name, and his charges: Vehicular Theft In Excess of $15,000, Unlawful Vehicular Possession In Excess of $15,000, and Vehicular Eluding. Sounds like he took them on a little game of cat and mouse... The court wanted me to write a letter to the judge explaining my point of view, and the documents explained that I could attend the court date, but couldn't testify or anything. I explained how I was an enthusiast and this car meant so much more than a means of transport. Mailed it off, but quickly figured I'd never hear about it again.

Fast forward again, about 2 years later (sometime around 2008), I start receiving letters from Progressive stating they are still trying to recover my deductible of $1000 and will keep me updated of any changes. Hm... OK... This continued every 6 months for the next 6 years. I assumed it was some computer generated mailing that meant literally nothing.

Yesterday (March 26th, 2014, over 8 years after the incident) I get a phone call from Progressive, telling me that the local combined court needs me to write a letter informing them of my current address (I've since moved from the residence where the car was stolen). They've been trying to send me checks but the mailings are getting bounced back. They contacted the insurance company (fortunately I'm still a customer with the motorcycle and they had my current contact info). Wait, wait, WTF?!?! Checks?!?! For what?? The lady explained it all and I hung up stunned.

The guy is in jail, but must have been ordered to pay reparations or something. I'm half expecting to see $5 checks every month for the next 10 years, but who knows. The car was LOUD. my neighbor said that he heard something but wasn't sure if it was my car or not. I'm suspect the garage was being watched, and the car was pushed down the street before being started. I would have heard it without question if it were started in the garage. That year there was no immobilizer chip in the key.


TLDR
Dec 2005, car is stolen from my apartment garage.
Over 8 years later (march 2014), apparently some form of money is coming my way. Woot.

[fairz]

I randomly saw this post. Great to hear that justice was made.. about the $5 checks.. ehh, I rather choose not have received anything and forget about everything altogether. GL

[Model Citizen]

Sorry, this was the first thing that popped into my head

Insurance co;

"I got you a dollar".




Congrats

[Eurasianman]

So, I assume he the thief just hot wired the car?

Also, glad to see the outcome of your story

[wheelhaus]

When I checked the voicemail I was thinking, what the hell, case number, court case? She must have the wrong number. Then after she described the car and date I thought... WOAH, WHAT? I'm surprised the court awarded me anything, let alone the dirtbag is actually paying... I hope there's some letter of explanation with all the undelivered mail, I'd like to know what to expect. And yeah if it's some paltry amount I'll likely just refuse it.

As for hot wiring, the keys weren't in it so I assume they had to hot wire it or flatbed it. If it was hot wired, I have a feeling it was pushed down the street before starting up. The garage door emergency release handle was released, too; kinda odd... I imagine they tried to pull it shut to hide the empty hole, but it just released and they left it.

[sato]

Originally Posted by fairz

I randomly saw this post. Great to hear that justice was made.. about the $5 checks.. ehh, I rather choose not have received anything and forget about everything altogether. GL

That is the type of agreement that the guy in jail must fulfill, as a 10 year reminder of what he did.

Even if it is only $5, who would like to go to the bank, or write a check for $5 for 120 months? After all, its an obligation he has to fulfill or the courts could take action against him.

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

And yeah if it's some paltry amount I'll likely just refuse it.

Psh fork it here then Mr. Bigshot lol

[Annahra]

Just wait until you have like eight of those checks to deposit them, then go out to dinner!

[regal]

When I lived in Louisiana I had a nice aluminum bass boat stolen. About 2 years later 60 miles away I saw it at a boat launch with a off duty sherriff taking it fishing. I knew it was mine because I had made these ghetto rod holder wood blocks spray painted silver and silicone to each side.


I just smiled at the dirty cop, that's all you can do down there. Its sort of a 3rd world nation in spots.

[ZOMFGAARON]

If this happened to me I'd be more interested to see what happen to my car then getting a check haha.
I wonder if they have any info on that.

[DarkSunrise]

Congrats bud! Better late than never I guess.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by ZOMFGAARON

If this happened to me I'd be more interested to see what happen to my car then getting a check haha.
I wonder if they have any info on that.

Inorite? After the insurance paperwork was finished they made it clear that whatever was recovered would be property of the underwriters. If the PD then had the ins co. as the registered owner, then neither the PD nor the ins co. would have any reason to contact me. But I've always wondered...

Actually, a blue WRX in my complex mysteriously had an Invidia exhaust shortly after my car disappeared, and it didn't look new.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

Actually, a blue WRX in my complex mysteriously had an Invidia exhaust shortly after my car disappeared, and it didn't look new.

That would piss me off more than the car simply getting stolen.

[ZOMFGAARON]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

Inorite? After the insurance paperwork was finished they made it clear that whatever was recovered would be property of the underwriters. If the PD then had the ins co. as the registered owner, then neither the PD nor the ins co. would have any reason to contact me. But I've always wondered...

Actually, a blue WRX in my complex mysteriously had an Invidia exhaust shortly after my car disappeared, and it didn't look new.

It just makes me wonder, what does my car look like now?
Who has it?
Did someone buy it used and not know?
But that's just me.

As far as the person in your complex I would of confronted them but that's just me.