Thieves with car jack and tools - Sandyford

spr1nt3r

Today I saw two lads with jack and tools trying them out on cars parked at Simons Ridge apartment block. Not even on the road, right at dedicated spots.
Any idea what's the goal? Surely they don't just need a wheel? Was this to test the alarm? Weird...
Any ideas?

Omackeral

spr1nt3r wrote: »

Today I saw two lads with jack and tools trying them out on cars parked at Simons Ridge apartment block. Not even on the road, right at dedicated spots.
Any idea what's the goal? Surely they don't just need a wheel? Was this to test the alarm? Weird...
Any ideas?

Yeah, call the Gardai.

spr1nt3r

Omackeral wrote: »

Yeah, call the Gardai.

Done. Slim chance I will see them anytime soon though.

spr1nt3r

I better check my car wheel nuts in the morning. You can freaking loose a wheel while driving after jokes like that.

2forjoy

maybe one of them got a puncture

nice_guy80

Stealing alloys

Then they'll steal a few bikes if not successful

FortySeven

Possibly after cats?

maudgonner

F1 Pit Crew in training?

Was there a guy in front holding a lollipop?

darkpagandeath

Sure it was not some eastern Europeans that got clamped and removing the clamp ? Seen it plenty of times nothing the clamper's can do if they don't damage the clamp.

matchthis

starting their Christmas shopping early?

spr1nt3r

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Sure it was not some eastern Europeans that got clamped and removing the clamp ? Seen it plenty of times nothing the clamper's can do if they don't damage the clamp.

I have nothing against Eastern Europeans but yes, they did have an accent.
Clamp usually wraps up around more than just a wheel. Unless they lost theirs I don't know what would they possibly need a spare for.

spr1nt3r

matchthis wrote: »

starting their Christmas shopping early?

Guys like that usually have more than on their agenda. Unless they are small time druggies just looking for a quick buck.
To be honest I nearly rather them take the car than do bits like that...

nice_guy80

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Sure it was not some eastern Europeans that got clamped and removing the clamp ? Seen it plenty of times nothing the clamper's can do if they don't damage the clamp.

Need a con saw for that

I've seen plenty of Irish lads removing them in private car parks (they aren't legal)

Grayson

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Need a con saw for that

I've seen plenty of Irish lads removing them in private car parks (they aren't legal)

An irish guy I worked with started a facebook group trying to get people to remove them. It was all about "sovereignty" for him. He was also involved with those nutjobs that are "freemen"

Widdershins

Yes, it is the alloys they are after. They are worth a few quid.

Away From Home

OP how do you know they were thieves?,

Widdershins

Grayson wrote: »

An irish guy I worked with started a facebook group trying to get people to remove them. It was all about "sovereignty" for him. He was also involved with those nutjobs that are "freemen"

There's no such thing as private property..except when it's their property. Some of those loons don't even believe child abuse should be illegal/punished. Mad as a box of frogs.

Away From Home

In private estates the clamping companies can do nothing if you cut the clamp off, the council are the only ones you'll end up in court for cutting off.

pablo128

FortySeven wrote: »

Possibly after cats?

I'd say so. A jack and one single tool and a cat is off in about 30 seconds.Worth approx 50 quid each in the breakers. Up to 200 quid for some models.

Away From Home

Either that or the chinese.

HS3

Immigants. I knew it was them. Even when it was the bears, I knew it was them.

spr1nt3r

Away From Home wrote: »

OP how do you know they were thieves?,

Easy - trying to undo number of car wheels in estate, trying there luck for whatever reason. Walking with hoodies on and carrying jack and tools on shoulders as if they were going hunting.
Scumbags like these I can see from far. Unless they were paid for actors and there was a hidden camera - they were up to no good.

nice_guy80

spr1nt3r wrote: »

Easy - trying to undo number of car wheels in estate, trying there luck for whatever reason. Walking with hoodies on and carrying jack and tools on shoulders as if they were going hunting.

sounds like a normal day in dublin

spr1nt3r

nice_guy80 wrote: »

sounds like a normal day in dublin

Depends on the area maybe. Even my mechanic was surprised. I am going to him tomorrow to get a set of locknuts. I think they are only €30 fitted. Worth it.

nice_guy80

spr1nt3r wrote: »

Depends on the area maybe. Even my mechanic was surprised. I am going to him tomorrow to get a set of locknuts. I think they are only €30 fitted. Worth it.

I got rid of the locknuts on my car when I bought it

the joys of not living in Dublin

pablo128

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I got rid of the locknuts on my car when I bought it

the joys of not living in Dublin

I suppose it's more likely to get tied to a chair and beaten to a pulp for whatever pittance you have on you and some appliances in rural areas. What with roaming gangs of itinerant burglars.

Yeah, your wheels should be ok.:rolleyes:

spr1nt3r

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I got rid of the locknuts on my car when I bought it

the joys of not living in Dublin

You might be safe from small nonsense like this but living outside of big city also has its risks. I lived in Kiltimagh before. Lovely town but the moment certain crowd passes by half of bars lock up and you start hearing stories of break-ins. Unfortunately I had one myself while I was asleep. I rather lose the car in those situations...

Sgt Pepper 64

why do folk need to steal wheels? Surely every car comes with at least 4. Tis like car stereos, wheels come as standard these days

Grayson

Widdershins wrote: »

There's no such thing as private property..except when it's their property. Some of those loons don't even believe child abuse should be illegal/punished. Mad as a box of frogs.

The crap this guy posts on facebook is ridiculous. I can't understand how someone can fall this far down the rabbit hole.

gramar

spr1nt3r wrote: »

I have nothing against Eastern Europeans but yes, they did have an accent.
Clamp usually wraps up around more than just a wheel. Unless they lost theirs I don't know what would they possibly need a spare for.

You wouldn't need to have anything against them to recognise their accent.

Atlantic Dawn

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

why do folk need to steal wheels? Surely every car comes with at least 4. Tis like car stereos, wheels come as standard these days

4 good alloys with decent tyres could cost well over €1000, if someone has steel wheels they might want to purchase cheap stolen alloys to replace them or perhaps their alloys have been damaged and they want replacements. Alloys are the easiest part of a car to steal for big money.

spr1nt3r

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

4 good alloys with decent tyres could cost well over €1000, if someone has steel wheels they might want to purchase cheap stolen alloys to replace them or perhaps their alloys have been damaged and they want replacements. Alloys are the easiest part of a car to steal for big money.

€1000 is a bit much as you will not find many cars that have such pricey wheels + tyres let alone without locknuts but yes - easy money. Original alloys with half decent tyres can easily get these scumbags €100-200 depending on where they can offload them. On the ads even more if they have any patience in between whatever they are up to.
Problem is that even with locknuts you can find your wheels being tried. My biggest worry is driving around with nuts undone. Crazy...

Away From Home

Why don't you put notes under the window wipers of the cars you saw them trying just incase they did loosen them.

spr1nt3r

Away From Home wrote: »

Why don't you put notes under the window wipers of the cars you saw them trying just incase they did loosen them.

I did contact the neighbors directly. Everyone is fine it seems. I am getting locknuts though (some of my neighbors have them already...).

FortySeven

spr1nt3r wrote: »

I did contact the neighbors directly. Everyone is fine it seems. I am getting locknuts though (some of my neighbors have them already...).

Be careful about where you locate the key for the locknuts. The number of people I used to deal with who were stuck trying to replace tyres before nct or stuck at the side of the road with a puncture and no key.

Not sure about aftermarket replacements but manufacturers keys take a week to deliver and nodody thinks about them until they really need them. A week's wait at these times is not an option for most and they end up paying to have them mechanically removed. Recovery costs etc.

Away From Home

They must have had a car somewhere with a blow out, then tried to find a wheel that would fit, and a nut their wheel brace would fit.

spr1nt3r

FortySeven wrote: »

Be careful about where you locate the key for the locknuts. The number of people I used to deal with who were stuck trying to replace tyres before nct or stuck at the side of the road with a puncture and no key.

Not sure about aftermarket replacements but manufacturers keys take a week to deliver and nodody thinks about them until they really need them. A week's wait at these times is not an option for most and they end up paying to have them mechanically removed. Recovery costs etc.

Good tip, thanks.

spr1nt3r

Away From Home wrote: »

They must have had a car somewhere with a blow out, then tried to find a wheel that would fit, and a nut their wheel brace would fit.

I was inclined to think that until I spoke to one of my neighbors who had nearly all nuts on all 4 wheels loose. Seems like something / somebody spooked them off right in time.
Once again, extremely dangerous if you jump in your car in the morning with wheels barely holding and commute to work via M50 without suspecting anything.

Ted111

Wheels can, and are, taken with lock nuts.
Not as easy though.

spr1nt3r

Ted111 wrote: »

Wheels can, and are, taken with lock nuts.
Not as easy though.

My wheels are worth little to nothing in my book. Still, €50-100 for all four can be attractive to people with drug addiction issues. Anyone serious enough to work with locknuts would not even bother. But yes - always a possibility.

jimbis

Get onto the management company because that place is covered in cameras. They would be either living there or have a car to transport the wheels.

I have actually removed clamps from cars in that place before, during the day ŵith jacks, and full tool kit out and nobody would bat an eyelid at me.

And no I'm not a scumbag, thief or foreigner. I live close by and hav a lot of family and friends living there. And I don't believe in paying for clamp removal when I can do it myself.

spr1nt3r

jimbis wrote: »

Get onto the management company because that place is covered in cameras. They would be either living there or have a car to transport the wheels.

I have actually removed clamps from cars in that place before, during the day ŵith jacks, and full tool kit out and nobody would bat an eyelid at me.

And no I'm not a scumbag, thief or foreigner. I live close by and hav a lot of family and friends living there. And I don't believe in paying for clamp removal when I can do it myself.

That's a good tip actually. I have their email, I will drop them a quick one tomorrow. Thanks.

I thought the same during the day today - car wheels must be heavy enough for them not to bother if they are on foot and live far. So you aright, either they live close by or were driving.