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This may seem like a really stupid question, but...

Dudess

... does anyone know if there's a way to break into a car without leaving even the slightest trace? My mum's phone and wallet are missing and we've turned the house upside down looking for them. The last time she remembers having them is when they were in her hand before she left the house to go for a walk in the park. She's wondering if someone could have nicked them while her car was parked there and she was having her walk.

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biko

There is yes but I won't tell you how.

Some thieves will actually lock the car after to delay response time.

[Deleted User]

I believe the foreign gay traveller muslims can do that!

Karoma

Depending on the model and year of the car: Yes. It is quite possible.
But, is it likely? Not as likely as the 'yore ma is nuts' theory.

aidan_walsh

If the person breaking in is any good, sure.

AlmightyCushion

There's a thing called a slimjim. It's a long piece of metal that you slide down the window inside the door that then unlocks the door. I'm not sure if it's real but they use it in films and tv shoes quite a bit.

arseagon

Some of the older cars could be opened easily enough. In fact some of the newer ones can aswell.

Dudess

Karoma wrote: »

But, is it likely? Not as likely as the 'yore ma is nuts' theory.

Yeah, we're considering that too

When she came back from her walk, the car was definitely locked - there was absolutely no sign of a break-in. But you guys think there's still a possibility it could have been broken into?

Maybe you could give me examples of how that could be done? I need to convince my dad, who's adamant it's not possible - despite also being aware that things don't usually just vanish into thin air.

It's an '03 Punto. And it has central locking.

The thing is, she had given her phone a recharging before she went out, yet it's going straight to voicemail every time we try to ring it now.

jtsuited

Dudess wrote: »

The thing is, she had given her phone a recharging before she went out. Yet it's going straight to voicemail every time we try to ring it now.

that stronly suggests it's been robbed. or is somehow lost in an area surrounded by lead walls.

Jay P

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

There's a thing called a slimjim. It's a long piece of metal that you slide down the window inside the door that then unlocks the door. I'm not sure if it's real but they use it in films and tv shoes quite a bit.

Yes, that is real. But it only works on cars that don't have remote central locking or an alarm. I remember when I was 6 I locked the keys in our 91 Mazda and we had to pay the Mazda guy 20 bucks to come out and use one of those. Essentially it's a fancy shaped clothes hanger.

arseagon

A thin metal rod can be used to pop the lock but it's not easy and time consuming. General theives will just break the glass. Quicker and easier to smash and grab rather than make the effort of making it seem the car hadn't been opened. Plus remembering punto's, they can't be re-locked without the keys. i.e. the lock can't be put down when the door is open.

Dinter

Is she sure it was locked when she came back?

With the central locking on most cars if you press the "open" button the lights etc will flash even if it's already open.

If your mum left it unlocked someone could have just grabbed her stuff and wandered off.

I think I'd start cancelling things.

Voodu Child

Assuming the car could be opened with a slim-jim or similar, locking it is just the opposite. All you're doing is directly manipulating the locking mechanism.

I highly doubt anyone would bother though, if they'd gotten in and taken the stuff, the last thing they'd want to do is hang around any longer than necessary.

She probably dropped them. Or maybe an aids-riddled Gypo stole them.

Sam Vimes

Deleted User wrote: »

I believe the foreign gay traveller muslims can do that!

they took out jooooobbbbbbbbsssss!!!!!

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

There's a thing called a slimjim. It's a long piece of metal that you slide down the window inside the door that then unlocks the door. I'm not sure if it's real but they use it in films and tv shoes quite a bit.

there are tv shoes now? what will they think of next

apparently some car locking systems are based on a vacuum in some way and if you put a vacuum pump over the lock it'll open

DonJose

Karma took them!!!

Dinter

Sam Vimes wrote: »

apparently some car locking systems are based on a vacuum in some way and if you put a vacuum pump over the lock it'll open

Saw that on Mythbusters and they couldn't get it to work.

Pretty cool if it did though.

Syke

Dudess wrote: »

It's an '03 Punto. And it has central locking.

There's your prob right there.

The 03 Fiat Punto is among the easiest cars to break into. Average in difficulty to steal, but it has the lowest rating for security from break-in theft.

IanCurtis

http://www.against-the-dark.org/robert-sample/pictures/rs_tv-in-shoes-no2_80x90_2003_thn.jpg

TV Shoes

[Deleted User]

Well it is a Fiat, normally if anyone just lookin for their keys can break into a car then the car manufacturer isnt doing its job!

IanCurtis

Best way to find them is to recreate her actions. Maybe she put them down in the car and they've gone under the driver's seat? Or she dropped them in the boot? In the park?

The most obvious explanation is usually the correct one.

Someone breaking in, taking them and locking the car (while possible) seems far-fetched.

AlmightyCushion

Sam Vimes wrote: »

there are tv shoes now? what will they think of next

I've got a 50" plasma screen in my slippers. I'm getting a pair of socks with a built in blu-ray player next week.

KdjaCL

Yes it is a stupid question.

I can imagine all the scummers now being thoughtful and not smashing the window to grab the visible stuff.

kdjac

Pighead

KdjaCL wrote: »

Yes it is a stupid question.

I can imagine all the scummers now being thoughtful and not smashing the window to grab the visible stuff.

kdjac

Who says it was a scummer? Maybe it was a sophisticated thief who stole her wallet. A modern day Robin Hood if you will.

Pighead reckons it was Dudess what took it though.

buckfast4me

I want to hear more about the TV shoes.

Dudess

Thanks for your help guys!

Dinter wrote: »

Is she sure it was locked when she came back?

Definitely. I quizzed her on that one - she's 100% sure.

With the central locking on most cars if you press the "open" button the lights etc will flash even if it's already open.

She doesn't have that fancy-shmancy central locking at all

, just the one where you turn the key in the driver's side and all the locks open.

voodoo_child wrote:

She probably dropped them.

She remembers having them in her hand before she left the house, then she got distracted as she was fiddling with her mp3 player. She admits she doesn't actually remember putting them in the glove compartment. But she wouldn't have left the house without them. I never go to my car without my wallet and phone. It's an automatic reflex. I just pick them up and leave with them without even thinking. She's the same and she's also over 30 years older than me so it's definitely ingrained in her! I presume most people are that way. And we've checked absolutely everywhere around the house - even the least obvious places.

IanCurtis wrote: »

Best way to find them is to recreate her actions. Maybe she put them down in the car and they've gone under the driver's seat?

Done. And we've checked the car umpteen times. We've even checked my dad's car.
As for dropping them in the boot, she didn't open the boot - didn't have any reason to do so. And she wasn't wearing a jacket when she went walking, just a cardigan with no pockets. She never just carries things in her hand - I sometimes do and she nags me for it. And she didn't have a handbag.

Pighead wrote:

Pighead reckons it was Dudess what took it though.

Gah! Foiled so easily!

Quality

Start praying to St Anthony!!;)

Dudess

She's been doing it for hours!

AlmightyCushion

Dudess wrote: »

She's been doing it for hours!

Try giving him some head so, he might be more willing to help then.

Dudess

Ooh, good call! *MUUUUUM!!! Someone on the interweb has just made a great suggestion!*

sharkDawg

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Try giving him some head so, he might be more willing to help then.

lol, try looking under the car seats ,maybe they slipped out of her pocket

Dudess

Done a thousand times, but cheers