[skyhigh_71]

Hi All,

Please could everyone keep a look-out for my MINI.

Stolen early hours of Sunday 12th September from Earley, Reading, UK. Burglars broke into the house and used the keys to take the car.

Description:

Silver and Black Cooper, Chilli Pack, Visibility pack, MFSW, Boost Single CD, 16" Fin Alloys. Number plates were Euro GB type with dealer name Altwood Taplow. The car also had a retro style ball type compass on a suction pad on the windscreen below the rear view mirror. Interior is bright silver with anthracite half leather seats.

If you see this car please contact Thames Valley Police and quote Crime Ref: EF 8661071/05.

Everyone please take care and don't leave your car keys visible within your house. The Police have advised me that professional criminals are specifically targetting desirable cars like the MINI and break in solely to obtain car keys.

Many thanks


Neil
(skyhigh_71)

[aceman]

Neil thats the worst news any mini owner wants to hear.

I am sorry for your loss, hopefully its only temporary.

Actually I think my keys are not safe enough atm, probably a good plan for all of us to protect them just as much as we do the actual car.

Hope you get your baby back safe n sound

[SoggyCornFlakes]

sticky for a few days - hope you get it back and in a decent condition, and glad you remained safe.

[ScottyB]

Damn man... sorry to hear.


Hope it comes back safe. Best of luck.

[minisoopercooper]

sadly this seems to becoming more common.

Good luck with finding your car.

Have you got any pictures? might help[ someone spot it.

Paul

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by minisoopercooper

sadly this seems to becoming more common.

Good luck with finding your car.

Have you got any pictures? might help[ someone spot it.

Paul

It is a shame but you are right Paul, this is becoming far too common

I really hope the car comes back in one piece, but it seems they are stolen to order.

All I can say is that those that wish to avoid this from happening to them really should think about upgrading security on their MINI, instead of buying more chrome and intakes, security always gets forgotten until its too late Something like this would have stopped it from being stolen https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=176

[M1N1Se7en]

A similar thing NEARLY happened to my Classic Cooper last year.

While a few of us sat chatting in our kitchen one afternoon - broad daylight, some scally walked in my front room picked up my keys and tried to steal my Mini, must've been kids as they didnt think to disarm the alarm which is luckily connected to twin air horns - this meant the whole of the street came out so the scallies had run.

They didnt drop the keys which meant I had a week of parking my car elsewhere which was a pain AND those of you that have owned mini classics can imagine what a performance it was trying to get the locks changed, immobilser reprog'd etc etc, not quite the same simple experience as getting your car sorted out by a BMW dealer.

So ALWAYS lock your house doors and keep your keys in a place they cant be spotted easily. Friends laugh and think I'm being a bit over the top and paranoid - after all it's supposed to be 'nice' where I live, BUT if my Cooper had gone I wouldn't have been insured (front door not locked) and I would probably have never found another classic cooper of that spec and condition again.

Hope you get your Cooper back safe and sound Neil

Lucy

[MINI-Morgan]

Hope you get it back safe and sound.


I useto hide my Mini keys if I was ever out. But personally its always an idea for people to have a hidden safe to store your really important items in including spare keys.

I'm suprised they havent made a system where the car just locks the doors and sets the alarm off if you try to start the car without a transponder on you.

I noticed in my insurance policy the other day that for a successful claim should my car be stolen I must provide all key fobs for the car. Does that mean if my keys are stolen the car isnt covered?? :S

[minibee]

We hide the mini keys everynight and set the house alarm too, good luck with finding your car.

Neil...and always park the wife's car in the way .

[scooperman_uk]

sorry to hear about your theft neil...

i will certainly lookout for your MINI in the local area. however i doubt it will be running the same plates or even local...

keep us updated...

one tip i have is to put a wheel lock on the steering wheel and keep the key to that seperate from your main set of keys when parking overnight. this may not prevent a detemined thief but may deter due to the extra time required to remove it...

[Smurfn]

Sorry to hear of the theft

I hope it gets back to you in one piece

[Sebby]

Hope you get you MINI back soon

one word for these people and that is

[skyhigh_71]

Thanks to all for your messages of support. I am delighted to report that my MINI was recovered today by the police, about 10 miles from home at the scene of another burglary. We think that the MINI was used to travel to the location, where some unfortunate people had both of their cars taken by the burglars.

Having been examined by scenes of crime officers for forensic evidence, the car is now released to me has has gone straight to recovery secure compound awaiting a full set of new locks and keys, and a mechanical check over for any damage. Cosmetically it would appear that no damage at all has occurred.

What a huge relief.

Any opinions on best anti-theft deterrents? After market Immobiliser or Tracker device?

Regards

Neil

[mikeythemini]

Very pleased for you
Check out the security products at www.newministuff.com

[tnoy66]

That's good news

Quote: Originally Posted by skyhigh_71

Any opinions on best anti-theft deterrents? After market Immobiliser or Tracker device?

The device Rakey mentions in post #6, let's the thief drive off in your car, but it stops after a while and can't be restarted by them, they don't get far

[Sebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by skyhigh_71

Thanks to all for your messages of support. I am delighted to report that my MINI was recovered today by the police, about 10 miles from home at the scene of another burglary. We think that the MINI was used to travel to the location, where some unfortunate people had both of their cars taken by the burglars.

Having been examined by scenes of crime officers for forensic evidence, the car is now released to me has has gone straight to recovery secure compound awaiting a full set of new locks and keys, and a mechanical check over for any damage. Cosmetically it would appear that no damage at all has occurred.

What a huge relief.

Any opinions on best anti-theft deterrents? After market Immobiliser or Tracker device?

Regards

Neil

thats brilliant news, how very lucky you was to get it back in one piece !

[KPKalle]

Good to hear skyhigh_71!! I'm glad your MINI's been found so quickly

[spjessop]

Quote: Originally Posted by skyhigh_71

Any opinions on best anti-theft deterrents? After market Immobiliser or Tracker device?

Regards

Neil

My Dad had Tracker Echo fitted to his Volvo XC90. He has a transponder that he has to have in his pocket, otherwise they think you've stolen the car and send the police. All the time, the car is monitored via GPS. It's also great incase you get car-jacked, because it doesn't matter if they have the key or not. If you still have the transponder in your pocket they won't know until the police appear.

[scooperman_uk]

obviously the burgulars had taste sorry bad joke..

very odd case tho. stole your MINI and then did another house for 2 cars... anyway glad to hear you got her back undamaged.. any idea where 10 miles away...

[Smurfn]

Good to hear it got recovered undamaged