Recurring Vandalism!

p64imp · 03-18-2008, 02:27 PM

Hi guys,

Just a general question here as to what means i might take. I am a busy guy, working 50 hour work weeks, always on the go, and somewhere along the way my car is the focus of a recurring vandal. Somebody clearly has an issue with me and is not man(or woman) enough to confront me, and in turn takes out aggression on my car (2003 ford mustang GT convertible)

so far its been keyed roughly 15 times on the rear drivers side fender, and the mustang emblem was torn off the grill. The scratches are about 6" to 10" in length, curved, and clearly the artwork of a key in hand.

This has been slowly happening over the course of about 7 months now. One new scratch is added to the mix (on the same exact spot) twice a month, almost to be delivering a message that somebody is upset with me.

My question is, is there any ideas in how i can aprehend this person? I have no ideas, as its not possible with my busy life to watch my car 24/7 in hopes that this recurring vandal makes a re-appearance.

Please help! this car was once my baby, now i am to the point where i'm starting to not even care about my car's appearance, as i'm not given the permission by this secret vandal to maintain a good appearance on my car. The only way to repair it and fix it up is to find, aprehend, and press charges against this individual so the damages cease.

tgraham · 03-18-2008, 02:49 PM

Where is this happening? Obvisouly the car has to be sitting still for this to happen. I would try to figure out a way to either point a camera at it while it is parked if you can or get a camera on the inside some how.

p64imp · 03-18-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tgraham

Where is this happening? Obvisouly the car has to be sitting still for this to happen. I would try to figure out a way to either point a camera at it while it is parked if you can or get a camera on the inside some how.

Would a camera be my only route? sounds expensive and complicated. i have a camcorder that only records 1 hour at a time, and would not be practical. saving money for a wedding at the moment, and dont have much cash to roll on.

plus it would have to be inside the car as it happens while away from home... i have no idea how i could possibly mount a camera to see the target and catch them in action. to do that it would almost have to be mounted outside the vehicle to get any proof to present in court. if i get a window shot of somebody approaching my car, doing "something" and leaving, that would not be enough proof to stand on to press charges. Would only give me the satisfaction of knowing.

VmtSquad · 03-18-2008, 03:49 PM

Sell the ford and by an ACURA...... JOKE!!

This is sad to hear man...the best way IMO would be to point a camera from the outside and from the inside...or if this is to complicated simply park ur car where you can watch it and just WAIT !!! Could be long but I think it worth the shot....

OR you could install a SUPER SENSITIVE alarm system. There's some that you can not even touch the car cause the alarm will start, I guess this could be a possibility but would be a bit $$$$$$$

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!

Rockhammer · 03-18-2008, 04:13 PM

Try an NRA-member sticker. Or maybe a "Charlton Heston is my President" bumper sticker.

I'm NOT going to tell you how to do it, but if you google it you can find out how to rig up an old Model T ignition coil to deliver a nasty (but probably non-lethal) shock to anyone who touches your car.

HiJackZX1 · 03-18-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by p64imp

Would a camera be my only route? sounds expensive and complicated. i have a camcorder that only records 1 hour at a time, and would not be practical. saving money for a wedding at the moment, and dont have much cash to roll on.

plus it would have to be inside the car as it happens while away from home... i have no idea how i could possibly mount a camera to see the target and catch them in action. to do that it would almost have to be mounted outside the vehicle to get any proof to present in court. if i get a window shot of somebody approaching my car, doing "something" and leaving, that would not be enough proof to stand on to press charges. Would only give me the satisfaction of knowing.

Well you could setup a system that when a piece of metal comes in contact with your car (a key) it shoots gas that direction wetting the person doing it. Then the car will send out a spark lighting the person on fire.

Ok, all joking aside. Do you have any ex-girl friends? The fact that you mention your getting married sends a signal that its someone that is jealous. Also the best way is to have a cam installed, they really are not that expensive. Where is the car being attacked, if its your house, mount the cam inside a house window looking at your car... or by a cam that sends a signal to a VCR in the car and have a APC battery backup to power it. I have a backup battery here that powers 2 dual core PC for up to 3 hours, so imagine if your only powering a camera and vcr, you could get 7 or 8 hours out of it.... you dont have to have a permanent install, you just want to see who is doing it.

*Buy the cam off of Ebay (a rca cam, which can later be used as a backup cam for your pc)
*Get a VCR, oh god, get that at a pawn shop for like 20 dollars.
*Get battery back up at OfficeMax, keep the receipt, when the person attacks and you get it on film, return the darn thing.

PS: have you contacted the Police? Maybe they can watch your car for a few days, kinda like follow you and catch the person.

p64imp · 03-18-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Well you could setup a system that when a piece of metal comes in contact with your car (a key) it shoots gas that direction wetting the person doing it. Then the car will send out a spark lighting the person on fire.

Ok, all joking aside. Do you have any ex-girl friends? The fact that you mention your getting married sends a signal that its someone that is jealous. Also the best way is to have a cam installed, they really are not that expensive. Where is the car being attacked, if its your house, mount the cam inside a house window looking at your car... or by a cam that sends a signal to a VCR in the car and have a APC battery backup to power it. I have a backup battery here that powers 2 dual core PC for up to 3 hours, so imagine if your only powering a camera and vcr, you could get 7 or 8 hours out of it.... you dont have to have a permanent install, you just want to see who is doing it.

*Buy the cam off of Ebay (a rca cam, which can later be used as a backup cam for your pc)
*Get a VCR, oh god, get that at a pawn shop for like 20 dollars.
*Get battery back up at OfficeMax, keep the receipt, when the person attacks and you get it on film, return the darn thing.

PS: have you contacted the Police? Maybe they can watch your car for a few days, kinda like follow you and catch the person.

the police are worthless. they wont help. best they will do is make yet another damage report on my vehicle and send it to the dmv, making yet another mark on my dmv report (yes this happens... reports are reports, regardless of fault, and insurance companies shy away from these).

Its happening in a industrial area parking lot... surrounded by business parks. no place for me to park other then where i have been parking. I tried switching around, but they tend to find my car regardless and persist on keying it.

I do have an alarm with motion sense. It hasnt been working well lately though. i'm going to play with the sensor though and turn the succer all the way up so its uber sensative. its going to drive me crazy going off all the time, but might help me catch the person. worth a try...

I'll keep that camera idea in mind if this fails me. i'd love to catch the bugger red-handed.

DarquePervert · 03-18-2008, 06:54 PM

Moved to Off Topic, as this has nothing to do w/ hardware for a vehicle computer.

muldrick · 03-18-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by p64imp

saving money for a wedding at the moment.

You sure you aren't taking someones girl?
There must be someone you can think of that is doing this?

Enforcer · 03-18-2008, 09:45 PM

Probably the future Mother-in-law, starting early.

toyotatyrant · 03-26-2008, 09:07 AM

Brotha, I know it's expensive, but if someone was constantly stalking me and vandalizing my property to that point, then I'd hire a PI

. They specialize in getting hard evidence on people who are up to no good and they won't know they are being watched. Plus when that is presented to the legal system, the keystone donut eating cops will be forced to take action when you press charges. Use that evidence to bring the biggest civil and criminal lawsuits possible on the responsible party. It's time to nip that in the bud cause it can turn from vandalism to violence without warning. I've seen it happen before

. I bet it's most likely an ex-girlfriend or the old ladies' ex-boyfriend.

I may sound harsh, but cops are worthless. They don't really care about protecting or serving. All they care about is eating and sleeping on the job, writing tickets, and harassing and beating the crap out of the law biding citizens, while real criminals get away with anything and everything.

Bob T · 03-27-2008, 12:12 AM

... ugly friend with bipolar disorder, you could ask him (or her) to park in the area but not too close and watch for the individual. The action taken upon identification should be between you and your friend.

Arrow · 03-27-2008, 04:24 AM

Get a co-worker to put a camera in their car and park near you.

will1384 · 03-27-2008, 06:12 AM

I would try the camera thing - they sell cameras for hunters called "Scouting Cameras"
its designed to be strapped to a tree and when something comes buy it takes ether
video or pictures - uses its own battery's

I just saw a crappy one on ebay for like $50

you would just need to hide it some how

Good luck

HiJackZX1 · 03-27-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by will1384

I would try the camera thing - they sell cameras for hunters called "Scouting Cameras"
its designed to be strapped to a tree and when something comes buy it takes ether
video or pictures - uses its own battery's

I just saw a crappy one on ebay for like $50

you would just need to hide it some how

Good luck

OOHHHHH I like that idea...... that could actually work.....

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