Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Powerless


It was just an ordinary Wednesday at the high school. They worked; I watched. I looked about for something, anything interesting to post about.

The day ended. I checked out. I headed for my car.

The hood of my car was open. It wasn't propped open, but it wasn't fully shut. I closed it, and I wondered. Had I accidentally popped the hood as I got out of my car that morning? I've never done that before. Was it possible?

When I went to start my car, I realized I hadn't accidentally opened my hood. Because, my car wouldn't start. And unlike when my battery has died (which it has done a few times over the years), I had no power at all. That's when I suspected...

I opened up my hood to be greeted by...


...a big gaping hole where the battery should be.

I didn't have any time to process this turn of events on my own, as one of the security guys noticed my distress, and he was standing with me when I opened the hood. He immediately called for the rest of the security team.

While they were talking about "the video" and how long my car had been in that spot (all day), I was contemplating next steps. I needed a battery. AAA has roadside battery service. So, I needed to call AAA.

The guys were concerned that something else had been taken out of my car. But I could tell that nothing was missing. I don't really leave anything of value in my car anyway, and besides, it didn't feel like they'd been inside the car. How did they gain access to the engine (as the hood release is inside the car)?

Waiting for AAA to arrive, another of the security guys was talking about insurance and police reports, and only then did it occur to me that I should probably call the police. I mean, one does call the police when one has been robbed, correct? And what is the proper term for this? Burgled? Thieved?

Security got word that they found the incident on the video surveillance. (The school has cameras all over.) The thieves were in a silver Nissan with no plates. Apparently, the whole theft took them five minutes. They reached beneath the car to release the hood. I was invited back to see, but I didn't really need to. I doubt I would recognize them, and I was waiting for those I had called, anyway.

AAA arrived. He was just getting started when the police arrived. The AAA driver made a comment that he does arrive before the cops, but I had called AAA first, so that really doesn't count.

The cop asked how much it was going to cost me to replace, and the AAA driver quoted him the price.

I gave my statement. The cop was surprised to hear that there was video of the incident. He asked if he could see it, and the security guy said, "Of course". It sounded like the cop had been to the school before, for he knew which office he'd need to go to for this.

AAA finished just slightly before the police were done with me. I was given a file number for my report, and then I was on my way.

I have been subbing a long time. I've been working at this school for years. This is the first time my car has been broken into. Still, I was nervous to return as I was already scheduled to cover a class there on Friday.

Friday came and went. My car was in the same state as I had parked it in. But I'm still going to be a little nervous for the foreseeable future.

21 comments:

  1. Well, at least everything was taken care of and while the police won't do anything about it, if the thief is caught, they have video to prove he took your battery. Scary to think it's that easy to pop a hood.

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  2. You’ll probably feel nervous for awhile, and that’s understandable. I hope they catch the guys who stole from you,

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    1. That would be nice. At least they have the video.

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  3. I just can't believe they took your battery. I mean, wow. I have to wonder about the kind of person who would steal someone's car battery.

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  4. Wow, I didn't know it was possible to release the hood from underneath the car! Glad it got caught on video though what are the chances of actually catching the people. Makes you wonder why your car? Will your insurance cover any of the expense for the new battery?

    betty

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  5. Dammit. The security and all were on top of it.

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    1. They've been so nice to me ever since this happened.

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  6. OMG! I can't imagine how violated you felt. Too many people are lingering near the bottom of the barrel nowadays. Please keep us updated.

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    1. It's all taken care of now. I've even been back to the school twice since. So, all is well now.

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  7. Yeah, that's just wrong on so many levels. And you will feel off for a while. Make sure if you ever feel nervous you get security to escort you. Never wrong to be cautious.

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  8. I don't blame you for being nervous; that was a really crappy thing for someone to do! I hope they catch those responsible. If you'd had to stay late, you could have been there by yourself, or after security. I'm with AJ, have security escort you if you feel even slightly nervous getting to and from your car.

    Kim

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    1. I wasn't nervous going to my car. I've been nervous once getting to the car that it has power.

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  9. I had battery taken from a rig before and it strange feeling. I am sure they took it and got out of as quickly as possible.
    This was in late 70's

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  10. I wish your battery had been about to give up the ghost anyway- Woula served them right!


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    1. Oh, I like this thought. But really, that would leave me in a nervous state for a while. Yikes! How bold to spend five minutes on a theft in broad daylight. And why? ~shakes head~ Then again, I remember stories of store flooring tiles being ripped up and stolen after all the goods were looted down to bare shelves. I'm glad nothing else got damaged or taken. Take care, my dear.

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    2. Cynthia, that would have been nice. Alas, it was about 2 years old, so I had a good 2 more years on it? Probably.

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    3. Thanks, Darla. At least if they would try to take the battery again, they might not find me as I'm not always at that school.

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    4. Good point. ~nods~ I wish you the best of good fortune wherever you're subbing.

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  11. That's terrible. I'd be nervous too. My car got hit four times in nine years at my old job, so I understand being nervous to park at work. Does the police department there have a Facebook page? I wonder if they'll put still shots from the video on the page asking for information. The Sheriff's Office here (granted, it's a small county) started doing that, and appears to be getting very good results.

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    1. I have no idea if they did that. I don't live in the city where it happened, so I've never thought to look. I should, though. Good idea.

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