Stolen Marauder

[Hotraudmerc]

Keep and eye out for a 2003 Black Marauder Colorado Plate 303 MFK
Has an Eagle Scout Sticker on top left of rear window.

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Was taken from in front of my house in Highlands Ranch Colorado between 11PM and 6:15 AM.

PM me if you see something.

Keith

[sabtaj1]

wow! that sucks. I hope they find those bastards! hope everything goes well with the search. keep us posted. I dont think I will see it in illinois but ya never know.

[mrjones]

I can only imagine the sick feeling in your stomach. It's like someone has taken a family member. Good luck.

[Mad1]

Wow. I hope nothing more happens and you get it back in the good condition.


On the negative side, now we're gonna be on that "most stolen cars" list again by that dimwitted insurance co. ranking process.

Mad1

[JVJ]

Sorry To Hear About The Bad News, Hope You Or Your Local Authorities Find Your Machine.. At Least In One Piece. Good Luck!!!

[Bluerauder]

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Keith
Will keep an eye out for your baby !! Hope you are able to get it recovered in good shape. Sorry to hear about this theft !! :(

[Haggis]

Keep and eye out for a 2003 Black Marauder Colorado Plate 303 MFK
Has an Eagle Scout Sticker on top left of rear window.

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Was taken from in front of my house in Highlands Ranch Colorado between 11PM and 6:15 AM.

PM me if you see something.

Keith
Will keep my eyes open...If they make it this far east, I'll let you know.

[ckadiddle]

We'll keep an eye out for it. All the crooks come to Florida sooner or later.

[DEFYANT]

MM w/ Colorado plates - got it!

[GAMike]

Good luck with locating the MM in one piece..... At the same time be prepared to due battle with your insurance company.

If they insured your car for full replacement value minus deductable, then make sure they know if you don't get replacement value in cash you will expect them to acquire a MM with identical options, color, miles....... the aftermarket goodies, are probably a gonner, but at least you can get a similar platform to reconstruct from. Also, if you unfortunatley have to go this route, get an Oasis on any car thaat meets the above criteria brought to you by the insurance co.

Hopefully you will get her back and the bastards will be caught (the most favorable scenario). Good Luck!

[SID210SA]

Sorry to hear about that....I will be on the look out incase they head South.

[jgc61sr2002]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully is will be recovered in good shape.

[MM2004]

That blows big time! Will keep my lookers open in Louisville, KY.

Mike.

[JVJ]

Sorry to hear about the theft. We will keep an eye out for it in New York just in case they decide to bring it here.

[kj31067]

sorry to hear that................

[MENINBLK]

Keep and eye out for a 2003 Black Marauder Colorado Plate 303 MFK
Has an Eagle Scout Sticker on top left of rear window.

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Was taken from in front of my house in Highlands Ranch Colorado between 11PM and 6:15 AM.

PM me if you see something.

Keith

WOW,

Sorry to hear about this.
I never do see many Marauders, but I will keep this one in mind.

I wonder if it was flatbeded from the parking space ?
Did you find any broken glass in the street ?
Another car parked in its place ?

[LordVader]

:mad2: If we see those bastages over here in Texas we'll send them to meet their maker! Eyes are peeled.

[blackf0rk]

:alone::depress::bigcry::down: :nono::mad::mad2::uzi::gunfire ::tantrum::banghead:

[Hotraudmerc]

Thanks guys for all the kind words and your eagle eyes. I sure hope it turns up.

Not to sound too sappy but I bought this car almost a year ago because I wanted a muscle car I could fit my entire family in. My kids love driving around with me in it. Some bastage has to go and steal it.

I hope it shows up in good shape. It was in mint condition and I just put new tires on it.

It was parked on the street in front of my house with the doors locked. I live on a culdasac and the cops think it was staked out because there was no evidence like glass and it is very unlikely someone just driving by in my area decided to steal it for a Joy ride. I have a feeling I will never see it again.

I have to wait a day or two to file a claim and I sure hope I do not get a run around. All I want is what was stolen from me of equal value and condition. We will see how this pans out and I will keep you posted.

Keith

[Blackened300a]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I would be devistated if I was in your place.
I hope its found in one piece and the Mother :censor:er's Caught

[Vortex]

One good thing about a rare car, they stick out in a crowd. Ill keep my eyes peeled for that boy scout sticker here in Big D.

[Smokie]

Keep and eye out for a 2003 Black Marauder Colorado Plate 303 MFK
Has an Eagle Scout Sticker on top left of rear window.

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Was taken from in front of my house in Highlands Ranch Colorado between 11PM and 6:15 AM.

PM me if you see something.

Keith

Does the plate look something like this ?

[blackf0rk]

Are you sure you're not on Overhaulin'? ;)

[Blackened300a]

Are you sure you're not on Overhaulin'? ;)

Good Point!! They took a Stock 05 GT and gave it the Foose touch, Maybe you are the next lucky Contestant!!

Then again I dont think the show would travel to CO to pull a car.

[Hotraudmerc]

Yea thats the type plate. # 303 MFK

I only wish I was on overhauln or maybe lets hope I am.

[2003 MIB]

I think I know most of the Marauders in DFW. In case the thief changes plates, could you let us know the VIN? i'll check out anything I see parked too.

[Mike M]

Weird, I did see a black Marauder headed south on 17 about 15 minutes out of Phoenix earlier this week (maybe Tuesday) and I did not see the plates but it had dark tinted windows. I was going north in my MM.

How did they steal it, I would assume it's not to easy with the anti theft key. I know it can be done but it can't be some punk 17 year old.

[CRUZTAKER]

My travel abroad will allow me to keep an eye out in the North East. ;)

Sorry for your loss.

[jimlam56]

Good luck, keep us posted on how this turns out.

[mtnh]

It sounds like a repo-man job. Is it in good standing with the bank, if it's not already paid for?

My 2000 LS was a recovered delinquent lease deal with 9K on it in only 4 months of use. The repo-man left a tiny little scratch on the driver's side glass from using the slim jim tool. The dead giveaway was that the dealership had to make new keys and acquire and program two new key-fobs as well.

Good luck, this certainly sounds like a flat-bed job.

Another vote for adding some type of alarm system or lo-jack.

[DefyantExWife]

Crikey, still nothing ?

[mtnh]

Man, I forgot my own punch line!

Six months into owning my LS, which had been repo-ed, the NH State Police called to ask me some questions. The former leasee had placed a claim with his insurance the the police that his LS had been stolen! The SP had all the facts correct before calling me, that the car was repossessed, I had bought it from a dealership in Massachusetts, and I had registered it in NH. They just couldn't figure out why the same VIN would have two such differing accounts of its status.

Oh, and Hotraud, I mean no disrespect on my question about the status of the note or lease, if any is in effect. I hope you get your car returned to you.

You may want to find a set of military eyes in Bahrain to keep an eye open for your ride. They seem to have a dragstrip there, I believe that there have been links and stories about a blown Lincoln Town Car racing there. I still have the video on my work PC. I got a charge out of the large umbrella covering the grandstands there.

Mike

[Hotraudmerc]

Well I got a call from a neighbor around the corner who found the contents of my glove box in front of his house. No real clue except it tells which direction they drove. I would have thought they would have headed the other way. I guess since I am not a thief I must not think like one.

No offense on the Repo man angle. Even the cops asked me that. I have a loan on it but it is in good standing. I have owned the car for a year and according to the car fax report is was never repo'd or anything like that.

I did consider the flatbed approach until the glove box stuff was found. The cops think I was followed home and they later came back to steal it.

I having been wondering if it was one of the service guys at the dealership. I took it in just over a week ago for AC problems and perhaps one of the techs copied the key and the address. I only bring this up because my insurance adjuster mentioned this has happend before with rare cars. I know the service manager and will bring it up to him.

Other than that no real leads at all. I hope it gets found. Truthfully I dont think it will be but still keeping up my hopes.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns.

[MENINBLK]

I having been wondering if it was one of the service guys at the dealership. I took it in just over a week ago for AC problems and perhaps one of the techs copied the key and the address. I only bring this up because my insurance adjuster mentioned this has happend before with rare cars. I know the service manager and will bring it up to him.

This is a very good guess.

My Service Manager doesn't want me leaving my car at the dealership.
He says he doesn't want the responsiblity of watching it,
or fixing it if it gets scratched or dinged.
He tells me to let him know when I need service at least a day or two in advance.
I bring him the car, get a cup of coffee, and there is only ONE TECHNICIAN
that has ever laid hands on my Marauder.
He doesn't trust this baby with anyone else.

When I worked for a Buick Delaer, we kept our cars garaged.
We had about a 250 car garage and it was always kept locked.
We used to leave a set of keys inside of each car, until we lost a car.
Someone followed our porter into the garage, and drove a car out,
seconds behind him.
He didn't know it until he went back to lock the garage.

I've heard of cars being driven right out of dealer lots,
and it makes you think if there is someone inside
calling in these cars to someone on the outside.
Hands off keys or follows you home.
This seems like you are a victim of this scam...

[John F. Russo]

Keep and eye out for a 2003 Black Marauder Colorado Plate 303 MFK
Has an Eagle Scout Sticker on top left of rear window.

I am sick to my stomach and would appreciate it if you all would keep an eye out.

Was taken from in front of my house in Highlands Ranch Colorado between 11PM and 6:15 AM.

PM me if you see something.

Keith

Sorry to hear about your car.

Will you get a Lojack device the next time?

I have been considering one for a couple of years. Your case makes it urgent now.

[Reduaram]

If he/she/it is lucky or dumb enough to make it across the border and wind up here in Victoria, I'll know what to do... would you like his head shipped back with the car or seperately via UPS?

[SergntMac]

One thing is for sure, it's out of gas by now...

[Hotraudmerc]

Thats funny.
I remember telling the officer that it had 3/4s of a tank in it but that really wont get them too far.

I will definately get lojack or something similar if I get my car back or another one.

I miss it. I have a built Jeep that is fun to wheel but it sucks driving it around town and even gets worse mileage. I may opt for the rental if this drags out more. I actually average on city driving 17 - 18 MPG with the MM and my Jeep now gets 11-12 city and 15 Hwy.

[ahess77]

From one theft victim to the next, Good Luck.

Mine was stolen from a dealership, during the day, using the key, and avoided all cameras when it left. I think it could have been an inside job?:nono:

Insurance company then identified their policy does not to cover “race” items like 4:10 gears, PI torque converter, etc. and that if I had this equipment on the vehicle then I should have insured it and they wouldn’t write such a policy for a “race” car.

It was found 9 days and 1000 miles later with some drug dealer driving it around Detroit, with the license plate still on it. When I got it back, the dealer did his part to make it right by fixing the minimal damage including the exterior mirrors & some paint scrapes. Plus, I got a lot of rap CDs to shoot up.

Hope yours isn’t stripped yet.

[Hotraudmerc]

Well it is nice to hear someone got their back. Some friends of mine had their Jeep stolen and it was found almost 2 weeks later. It had the wheels tires and few other items stripped and the insurance company paid for the repairs. I remain optimistic but not realistic which means I dont expect to get it back. I really want this one back. It was absolutely mint with none of the typical problems like paint or other common problems.

What other things do you guys do to protect your MM. I am not able to fit it in the Garage with my wifes car so my Jeep gets the garage and the MM fits outside. So what else are my options to protect it?

[Rider90]

Thats funny.
I remember telling the officer that it had 3/4s of a tank in it but that really wont get them too far.

I will definately get lojack or something similar if I get my car back or another one.

I miss it. I have a built Jeep that is fun to wheel but it sucks driving it around town and even gets worse mileage. I may opt for the rental if this drags out more. I actually average on city driving 17 - 18 MPG with the MM and my Jeep now gets 11-12 city and 15 Hwy.
The hundreds of dollars for a rental will offset the 4-5 MPG difference between vehicles...

[MENINBLK]

Sorry to hear about your car.

Will you get a Lojack device the next time?

I have been considering one for a couple of years. Your case makes it urgent now.

If you want a tracking device, LoJack should be your LAST choice...
There are several Satellite based devices that that are much better.

[MENINBLK]

So what else are my options to protect it?

You got a TREE in your back yard ?
That and a couple feet of heavy duty chain,
around the rear axle will keep it safe.

[MarauderMark]

Sorry to hear about your loss.Hope it works out for the best.:up:

[FastMerc]

Sorry to hear about that loss man.I just took a road trip to vegas and back.I did not see one MARAUDER in vegas or anywhere else on the entire trip.Hopefully it turns up for you in one piece.

[SID210SA]

What I do to try and keep my car safe:

I live in an apartment so I park my car below my bedroom window (second floor), the car is parked backwards, wheels turned, emergency break on and the alarm on. I also sleep with the bedroom window slightly open and my 9mm with hollowpoints right next to me:gangster: :gunfire: :shot: :uzi:

[hbarrett]

Too bad about your loss. Should be very easy for the dealer to reconcile his inventory against sales of that part. If that's not it, the problem would seem more complex, as the Panther platform both mechanically, and electronically is a very difficult steal. You don't easily press a couple of wires together from under the steering column to start it up and drive away. Doing it on a quiet residential street late at night makes it even more bizarre. Likely that a window was not broken, or every dog would be barking. I wonder why the contents of your glove box was thrown out so close to your home. Should that be so much of a priority to do so quickly for a thief so brazen? If he is so intent and capable with the theft, what difference does it make what's in the glovebox? It doesn't make the car any less stolen. Wow, a very strange thief indeed. Good luck!
Well I got a call from a neighbor around the corner who found the contents of my glove box in front of his house. No real clue except it tells which direction they drove. I would have thought they would have headed the other way. I guess since I am not a thief I must not think like one.

No offense on the Repo man angle. Even the cops asked me that. I have a loan on it but it is in good standing. I have owned the car for a year and according to the car fax report is was never repo'd or anything like that.

I did consider the flatbed approach until the glove box stuff was found. The cops think I was followed home and they later came back to steal it.

I having been wondering if it was one of the service guys at the dealership. I took it in just over a week ago for AC problems and perhaps one of the techs copied the key and the address. I only bring this up because my insurance adjuster mentioned this has happend before with rare cars. I know the service manager and will bring it up to him.

Other than that no real leads at all. I hope it gets found. Truthfully I dont think it will be but still keeping up my hopes.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns.

[CRUZTAKER]

I did not see one MARAUDER in vegas .....

No shat Mark...that would require them caring that another member was in town! :baaa:

[Hotraudmerc]

I received a call from the sheriff tonight and they found my car. It was used on a 5 day crime spree and found downtown. I think they caught the guys but not sure. The car is supposedly not damaged which is good. I have to wait a day or two for them to process the evidence found in the car. I will check it out carefully at the impound yard.

I drove downtown to check it out before it was towed to my side of town but just missed them. Oh well.

I appreciate all your thoughts and eagle eyes. I am definately going to do some kind of GPS security system just not sure which one. I need to protect my Jeep and other cars as well.

I will post later as I get more details.

Keith

[MM03MOK]

Wow! What a relief. I hope she made it through the ordeal OK. I know it was trying on you!

[BAD MERC]

I install vehicle security by trade and I have peace of mind in knowing that my car will be where I left it. (Also a garage) On my Marauder- I included horn honk and multiple sirens with perimeter detection along with an audio sensor which will pick up the 'metal-on-glass' sound of a center punch or lockout device. I have a hood pinswitch (these hoods can be easily opened from underneath to cut battery cables!!) My system does not have GPS but it uses a "responder" two-way communication to and from the vehicle. Here's a stab in the dark - buy a "boot" and install it on a prominent wheel when you park at night. Driving and towing are thus prevented. I big heartfelt congratulations on getting your baby back! PLEASE let us all know what form of theft was used on your Marauder. Exploiting a weakness on a vehicle such as this for theft will not be tolerated by the MM.net community. Everyone needs to watch their car. These are rare and apparently get more rare every day. If you are (or anybody) interested in an affordable vehicle tracker, contact a company called "SAGEQUEST". We install them on fleet vehicles and they locate the vehicle roughly down to an address through satellite triangulation as well as internet real-time surveillance.

[mcb26]

Glad your getting you MM back.

[Dragcity]

I have been waiting and hoping for the best for you. I am glad you are getting it back. I hope all is well.

Those nasty jerks should be prosecuted to the fullest. Sue them, incarcerate them. Cut off their ****ing hands!

Sorry about the violation of you rights and privacy. That's always tough too.

Good luck with everything.

[BigGuyBigCar]

Sounds like thieves managed to get a duplicate key and knew where you lived. Makes your concern about it being an inside job from the service center likely.

[SID210SA]

Do you still have all your keys? Just a thought....maybe a contractor or if you have teenage kids....maybe one of their friends.....just exploring all the possibilities.

[Marauder]

My friend got his car back 18 months later in better shape than when they stolen it.

The guy put rims, system, and bogus plates. The caught him stealing another car and figured out the car he was driving was also stolen.

Congrats on getting her back!!!

[Mike M]

When you get your hands on it please try to figure out how they stole it.

[jimlam56]

When you get your hands on it please try to figure out how they stole it.


Yes, and please let us know what you find out.
Congratulations.

[DefyantExWife]

Great news, congratulations on the recovery in good shape!

[FastMerc]

Cool glad to hear that,like to know how they got away with it in the 1st place.

[Hotrauder]

Keith, glad you got it back. Be sure to get down to the impound yard ASAP and verify that it is indeed all ok and get it out of there ASAP. The impound yard is a great place to lose removable parts...Dennis. Please let us know how it was stolen. My money is on the dealer in house job. :(

[jgc61sr2002]

Wow That's great news.:D

[Hotraudmerc]

Ok the Marauder is Back in Black.

I picked it up yesterday afternoon and the majority of the damage is on the drivers side it seems they lightly side swiped something. The front passenger wheel is scuffed up and one of the exhaust tips is marked up.

In theory if the Marauder was pulling strong at 118mph the drive train should be ok right?

Anyway I am not sure how they got a key but that is the only explanation. No visible marks or tampering. The thieves were the oportunist type and not pro car thieves. The took 4 cars from my neighborhood at the same time and broke into over 20 homes. They are from the inner city and came out to the burps to score on the yuppies I guess.

This is a growing type of crime all over according to the cops.

I will be getting some kind of alarm system that will disable the car even with the key if engaged. Not sure which one yet and will keep you posted. If you have any ideas let me know.

[Mike M]

That means they still have your key (or a copy of the key) which means they would have to have at one time both of your master keys to make a 3rd or had one of your masters and some serious equipment to make a 2nd. Either way they still have it and your car is VERY vulnerable again. Even if they come back and steal the contents of it on a weekly basis so a kill switch or ignition shut off is fine but what can you do to stop them from using their key to open the door and steal your personal belongings. THAT SUCKS!

[duhtroll]

That's when you tell your insurance company that you need a new set of keys, if these cars can be re-keyed, that is. Otherwise, tell them it'll probably be another claim very soon.

Congrats on the retrieval.


That means they still have your key (or a copy of the key) which means they would have to have at one time both of your master keys to make a 3rd or had one of your masters and some serious equipment to make a 2nd. Either way they still have it and your car is VERY vulnerable again. Even if they come back and steal the contents of it on a weekly basis so a kill switch or ignition shut off is fine but what can you do to stop them from using their key to open the door and steal your personal belongings. THAT SUCKS!

[SamF]

That means they still have your key (or a copy of the key) ...... and your car is VERY vulnerable again. Even if they come back and steal the contents of it on a weekly basis so a kill switch or ignition shut off is fine but what can you do to stop them from using their key to open the door and steal your personal belongings. THAT SUCKS!

I am really glad to hear this car was recovered...helps a "little" with my own paranoia :shake:

Anyway...my mom has a Honda Civic, nothing special just run of the mill transportation. Why do I mention this? A few years back some kids got a key that fit her car...for 3 weeks they would come over and take her car in the middle of the night, returning it before she awoke. It only stopped when I gave her a CLUB to install at night. Weird stuff...

SamF

[jgc61sr2002]

Some one must have copied your key and probably got your address from the glove comp.

Did you have your Marauder parked by a valet? Could also happen at the dealer. An empolyee at dealership would have no problem making a dup key.
Just my 2cents.


I would recommend a tracking device such as Lojack and having it rekeyed..

[fastblackmerc]

Gald you got it back with so little damage.

You could always pull the fuse for the fuel pump whenever you park it.

I'd get the insurance company to get it re-keyed.

[alarmguy]

Congrats on getting her back! Do let us know if you find out how they did it.

[MENINBLK]

If you are (or anybody) interested in an affordable vehicle tracker, contact a company called "SAGEQUEST". We install them on fleet vehicles and they locate the vehicle roughly down to an address through satellite triangulation as well as internet real-time surveillance.

I looked at their site.
They offer GPS tracking down to a street address,
but there is no mention of an integrated security system.

What would you suggest as a combination ?

[hbarrett]

WOW - this story gets more amazing with time. Glad you got it back with only little damage by perps who have no reason to care what they do with a stolen car that has been used in a five day crime spree! Why wasn't it found in the inner city neighborhood where there perps lived, all scratched, dented and stripped? At least your comprehensive coverage for theft should pay for all the damages. All those cars at the same time from one neighborhood, and 20 homes broken into? How big and organized is this gang, no one sees or hears anything suspicious, or maybe this is just another bizzare story like the cindarella slipper left behind in the FL rollover last week? Was the car found down the street from a downtown bar, all nicely locked up in a safe spot, and was some car sideswiped near the bar after the driver left there having had a few too many? This mystery gets more intriguing every day?
Ok the Marauder is Back in Black.

I picked it up yesterday afternoon and the majority of the damage is on the drivers side it seems they lightly side swiped something. The front passenger wheel is scuffed up and one of the exhaust tips is marked up.

In theory if the Marauder was pulling strong at 118mph the drive train should be ok right?

Anyway I am not sure how they got a key but that is the only explanation. No visible marks or tampering. The thieves were the oportunist type and not pro car thieves. The took 4 cars from my neighborhood at the same time and broke into over 20 homes. They are from the inner city and came out to the burps to score on the yuppies I guess.

This is a growing type of crime all over according to the cops.

I will be getting some kind of alarm system that will disable the car even with the key if engaged. Not sure which one yet and will keep you posted. If you have any ideas let me know.

[Hotraudmerc]

hbarrett I will give you the benifit of the doubt because I do not know you and you do not know me. However I request you give me the same. I agree it is a strange story but according to the cops this is very typical with groups like this.

The car was found in Denver near downtown in front of the perps apartment building. 2 of the other cars stolen from my area were parked next to mine. Most of the time when cars are stolen in my area it is because the keys were in the car or inside the door from the garage to the house. The remaining car stolen has not been found yet. The cops know who they are and are still processing what was found in the cars to pin them to each of the houses and stolen cars. I am unable to find my spare key which was usually in my luggage because I travel a lot and kept it there in case I lost my key on the road. I have not used that key in months and know for sure it was not in the car when it was stolen but perhaps they found it before hand and bid their time. I really do not know. It could still be a dealer employee and they made a copy of it when I had the AC repaired but again a hard one to pin down.

This type of crime is on the rise and Highlands Ranch has the highest auto theft rate in the Denver Area. I suppose its because we make ourselves easy targets with nice cars to steal. The suburbs across the country are being invaded this way with oportunistic gangs and kids stealing the easy targets.

All types of things were found in the cars like a case of new baseballs, wallets, purses, food, clothing. Weird stuff too.

[Motorhead350]

Glad you got it back. Now YOU drive it like you stole it! :burnout:

[Hotraudmerc]

Thats funny. I drove it around today thoroughly testing the mechanicals out to be sure all was working.

[hbarrett]

OK, good point, and perhaps I should give you the benefit of the doubt. I am very surprised that Denver is so crime infested. I was planning to relocate there about ten years ago and at the time was very impressed with what appeared to be a relatively low crime city and quiet surrounding suburbs. If the police know about these lawless groups, what are they doing about them? Four cars in one neighborhood in one night, and all those homes broken into - makes Denver sound like the Wild Wild West, which by the way, is one of my favorite casinos in Atlantic City - and come to think of it, although my car has never been stolen there, they do empty my wallet and take everything each time I go there!
hbarrett I will give you the benifit of the doubt because I do not know you and you do not know me. However I request you give me the same. I agree it is a strange story but according to the cops this is very typical with groups like this.

The car was found in Denver near downtown in front of the perps apartment building. 2 of the other cars stolen from my area were parked next to mine. Most of the time when cars are stolen in my area it is because the keys were in the car or inside the door from the garage to the house. The remaining car stolen has not been found yet. The cops know who they are and are still processing what was found in the cars to pin them to each of the houses and stolen cars. I am unable to find my spare key which was usually in my luggage because I travel a lot and kept it there in case I lost my key on the road. I have not used that key in months and know for sure it was not in the car when it was stolen but perhaps they found it before hand and bid their time. I really do not know. It could still be a dealer employee and they made a copy of it when I had the AC repaired but again a hard one to pin down.

This type of crime is on the rise and Highlands Ranch has the highest auto theft rate in the Denver Area. I suppose its because we make ourselves easy targets with nice cars to steal. The suburbs across the country are being invaded this way with oportunistic gangs and kids stealing the easy targets.

All types of things were found in the cars like a case of new baseballs, wallets, purses, food, clothing. Weird stuff too.

[Dr Caleb]

Some one must have copied your key and probably got your address from the glove comp.

Just as a point of order, our key's can't be simply copied. They must be the PATS key, and the key must be 'trained' with two other keys known to the computer before a new key will start the car. Unless we give a service center 2 of our keys, that can never happen. They still could unlock doors and trunk, but starting the car - no way.

If you try to just do a loose and dirty copy of a key, then try to start the car - it won't start. Ever again. . . unless it gets a trip on the back of a truck to a dealer that can unlock the now useless computer.

If these guys still have a copy of your key, HRMerc, get the dealer to remove all keys from the computer (if they can do that), and get 3 new ones.

Glad to hear you got your baby back.

[SergntMac]

OK, good point, and perhaps I should give you the benefit of the doubt. Not easy, is it, after all that other crap, which HRMerc may know nothing about.

[shakes_26]

Sound slike they may have broke in before hand and grabbed the key.

In Europe this is the majority of how cars are now stolen, due to the security/key/computer setups its easier to break in to the hosue, grab keys and the ocassional jewelery, etc. Happened to 2 family members when I was living there, and another person I met.

Get a safe, not a lcokbox a safe, soemthign thats built in or bolted or so heavy they'd neet too much time to work on/move. Keep your important papers in there, guns (if you got em), jewels, spare keys.


I agree it is a strange story but according to the cops this is very typical with groups like this.

. I am unable to find my spare key which was usually in my luggage because I travel a lot and kept it there in case I lost my key on the road. I have not used that key in months and know for sure it was not in the car when it was stolen but perhaps they found it before hand and bid their time. I really do not know. It could still be a dealer employee and they made a copy of it when I had the AC repaired but again a hard one to pin down.

.

[Hotraudmerc]

thanks for the tips on the keys.

I can not find my spare and it is possible they found it/stole it a few days before the theft. I know for sure it was not in the Car that evening and pretty sure no one was in my home. The strange part is my spare key was always kept in my brief case or luggage. I am sloppy sometimes and do not recall the last time I saw the key. I just know now I do not have it. I travel every other week and yes sometimes I would leave my luggage in the car a couple of days after I get home because I typically get home after midnight on Fridays when coming back from LA.

For the record I am a proffesional with a wife and 3 kids with no reason to waste peoples time on the internet with stories that are not true. There are many more details about this incident that make less sense than some of the others I have posted. Like for example my wallet was found in a mini van while anothers wallet was never found and his credit cards were used but mine were not. Another strange deal was three bags of childrens cloth's were taken from my trunk but my leather jacket was still on the back seat.

The crime rate in Denver is about average for a city fitting our profile. You all need to realize that in citys our size and larger a growing trend is for groups like this to travel the burbs at night and stealing whatever is convinient. It took this group one night to steal from that many houses and that many cars. They were simple thefts from people who figured Highlands Ranch was safe from that and leaving a door unlocked is no bid deal. Wrong.

If there is more to post I will, otherwise this thread is getting personal in ways it should not.

Keith

[BAD MERC]

Uh... actually, you're damn close. The cars are easy to train a new key to if you have the original two. The dealer can plug in and train a new key even if both are not present. As far as never starting again... The theft LED (top of the dash) will flash rapidly if there is a sentry key fault - but the vehicle will start right up when the fault is fixed. I totally bypassed the transponder feature on my '04 when I installed the remote start. I still have advanced security and theft resistance but now I can use normal hardware-store keys. I did however buy two NEW uncut keys from an ebay seller (streetkeys) for $42.00 and now use them after they were cut. My Marauder has NO OEM anti-theft features now. But it also won't cost me $400.00 to have keys made at 3AM in the rain on a holiday if I lose my keys.
Just as a point of order, our key's can't be simply copied. They must be the PATS key, and the key must be 'trained' with two other keys known to the computer before a new key will start the car. Unless we give a service center 2 of our keys, that can never happen. They still could unlock doors and trunk, but starting the car - no way.

If you try to just do a loose and dirty copy of a key, then try to start the car - it won't start. Ever again. . . unless it gets a trip on the back of a truck to a dealer that can unlock the now useless computer.

If these guys still have a copy of your key, HRMerc, get the dealer to remove all keys from the computer (if they can do that), and get 3 new ones.

Glad to hear you got your baby back.

[Dr Caleb]

Uh... actually, you're damn close. The cars are easy to train a new key to if you have the original two. The dealer can plug in and train a new key even if both are not present. As far as never starting again... The theft LED (top of the dash) will flash rapidly if there is a sentry key fault - but the vehicle will start right up when the fault is fixed.

Interesting. Perhaps I misunderstood "The Dealer" that any non-PATS key will disable the car if you try to start it.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14304

I didn't know you could disable the Sentry part of it ethier, thanks!

Yea, I kind of discounted a dealer having the super-override ability. I sure hope they keep track of these units, it would be a shame to have such a unit used to facilitate theft from within the dealership.

[hbarrett]

Yeah, I have a lot of trouble when stories are too wild to be true and each new fact appears wilder than before. Life experiences makes me think that this tale has become so twisted, almost from the outset, that there is another agenda. I wish I knew a Denver LEO just to find out if things out there are really as bad as these messages make it appear to be. A large gang of roaming thieves quietly stealing a group of cars, parking them ever so carefully next to each other in Denver, for use in multi-day crime sprees, and breaking into nearly two dozen homes, stealing car keys or whatever - Huh! C'mon, if it really is this lawless there, the Gov. of Colorado should be calling the National Guard into this neighborhood. IMO I think someone is delusional! :rolleyes:
Not easy, is it, after all that other crap, which HRMerc may know nothing about.

[BAD MERC]

I am a big fan of DEI (Directed Electronics) www.directed.com (http://www.directed.com) and sell and install their products. After having remote start - I will never go back. As far as GREAT systems for security; Either the Avital AviStart 4400, the Python 881XP, or mine, The Viper 791XV. They are identical systems except for brand engineering and a few remote control differences. As far as features; they are identical except the Avital adds a companion remote, parking meter and run timer on the LCD screen along with interior temperature check and clock on the remote. These systems are superior and MUST be installed professionally. The Marauder has a box above the accelerator called the LCM (lighting control module) and all four door trigger wires, horn, lights, trunk pin, and parking light can be acquired there. Choose a shop with extensive security knowledge and installation ability. Any glue-sniffer can shove a ball of wires under the knee bolster but the installation makes the difference between an alarm and a security system. My brain module is under the rear of my center console and every entry point is protected with immediate trigger response. You can look under my dash and see nothing!
I looked at their site.
They offer GPS tracking down to a street address,
but there is no mention of an integrated security system.

What would you suggest as a combination ?

[FastMerc]

Any time my car goes to a shop,no matter what for I clean everything out glove boxes trunck every CD pen and paper,and only key they get is ignition.Safest bet:D

[Col.Dick Hucker]

Keith:
Sorry to hear about your stolen Marauder. Of course you reported it to the police. I expect the plates and the sticker were promptly removed by the theif. If you have'nt done so yet, you should report it to the Dealer network. If it shows up in a shop they can I.D. it by the VIN. The Dealer or his network should also help you get it into other networks such as the chain operated Oil Change Companies. Sorry about your loss. I would be sick too.

Regards,
Huck

[MENINBLK]

Just as a point of order, our key's can't be simply copied. They must be the PATS key, and the key must be 'trained' with two other keys known to the computer before a new key will start the car. Unless we give a service center 2 of our keys, that can never happen. They still could unlock doors and trunk, but starting the car - no way.

If you try to just do a loose and dirty copy of a key, then try to start the car - it won't start. Ever again. . . unless it gets a trip on the back of a truck to a dealer that can unlock the now useless computer.

If these guys still have a copy of your key, HRMerc, get the dealer to remove all keys from the computer (if they can do that), and get 3 new ones.

Glad to hear you got your baby back.


I spoke to my Service Manager today and asked him about this...
He says that you only need ONE working key to train an additional key.
Once the additional key is trained, all other keys will not start the engine.

So if Keith gave the car to the dealer with only ONE key,
then his spare key as well as the Valet key will no longer start his Marauder,
IF THIS IS WHAT WAS DONE.

Only Keith can tell us if this is the case.

[wchain]

If the dealer or locksmith has a NGS STAR machine, they can program keys and away you go.

I do this ALL the time with Ford Explorer and Ford Escapes when the drivers lose keys. The original ones won't work of course, but they can be rolling in 20 minutes with the NGS/STAR machine.

[Hotraudmerc]

Ok

When my car was first stolen I checked up on the concept of it being an inside job at the Dealer. I talked with the GM whom I know and he was confident that my key was not copied there but was willing to keep an eye out with the service manager on some of his newer detail guys. The key can easily be copied with one original but yes it will make my copies not work. In fact if you use the wrong key the car will go dormant and you will not be able to start it with the correct key. It will need to be towed or have the programmer brought to the car.

I think I mentioned that I am not able to find my spare key. I typically keep it in my brief case/luggage because I travel often and did not want to loose a key and be stranded at the airport. I know the key was not in the car when it was stolen but it could have been found previously. The Sheriff thinks they found my spare a few days before it was stolen. I have a hard time believing they found my spare before finding the original but in any case I can not find it. The sheriff did not find a key in their possesion for my car. It is still possible that a dealer employee made the key for them and I just lost my spare. Seems rather odd and coincidental. The big problem is the cops have a lot on their plate to spend too much time looking into the many different theories.

I had many different theories myself as I went throught this. Most of them turned out to be unfounded but some were correct. I really did not think I would get my car back however.

I just had my key re-programmed with a new spare made. This way whatever key was used on my car is not longer going to work if they come back. I am now extra careful with everything related to home and auto security.

The sheriff knows who did it and is working the case for complete charges.

My comments related to thieves going to the burbs is true and is happening more often across the country in larger cities than ever. The burbs offer easier pickens with nicer rewards. Mind you they are mostly opportunist that go for the easy stuff. Another comment made by the sheriff when my car was first taken is it will either be found in Commerce city (an older low income part of my area) or it will never be found. He said it most likely will not be found trashed, burned or in a lake. The thieves do not like to draw attention to themselves and typically drive the cars normal. The burned out or totaled cars are more often than not insurance fraud according to the cops comments anyway.

My car had a little less than 3k damage to it. The drivers side was swiped against something white and the rims had been curbed up. There are some other marks and the body and one of the exhaust tips is bent up. Fricken thieves cant drive big cars I guess.

[jaywish]

Hi,

You never can tell. I recovered a car that was stolen from me, parked, locked, outside a bar. Why? They had robbed my house, found a key, found my tools, fixed the car by stealing a battery out of another truck, stole the car and the tools and been using the car as transportation.

I found the car myself a few days later. Since the police were busy, I went into the bar. Thank God the one white fellow in the bar pretended to be my cousin and walked me safely outside.

Though I wondered if the guy who helped me out might have been the one who stole it I had to conclude he was not. He did not fit the brand new 6 pairs of size 44 jockeys I found in the back seat still in the bag with the receipt from Caldors, purchased that evening.

For those of you who think this was a setup, It was a (then) an 17 year old BMW 3.0s with no coverage. I didn't claim the tools as it was the third robbery and it was not worth reporting the one tool box to the insurance company as I was afraid of being dropped.

Odd things do happen.

Jay

[juno]

I had my truck broken into in Jupiter when I was renting a house in Palm Beach County while looking to buy. It was in my driveway and when the sheriff finally showed up he claimed I left it unlocked. At least 10 other people owning late model fords were broken into. It appears some dudes drove through the neighborhood with a device that mimiced the remote. If your lights came on in the vehicle, they helped themselves.

[SID210SA]

Interesting story here: I know some one who had their house broken into while they were out of town......broke a window by the front door and reached around and unlocked the door.....the only thing stolen from the house was the Infinity G35 in the garage.....the thief was a neighbor and was caught after he had the car towed back to the house after he wrecked it.

[SID210SA]

If the dealer or locksmith has a NGS STAR machine, they can program keys and away you go.

I do this ALL the time with Ford Explorer and Ford Escapes when the drivers lose keys. The original ones won't work of course, but they can be rolling in 20 minutes with the NGS/STAR machine.

Doesn't some one or company with NGS/STAR machine have to be a registered licensee with the state or local municipality? Here in Texas Locksmiths have to be registerd and their employees as well with the Texas commission on private security (TCPS) and over seen by DPS (Department of public safety) which is our State Trooper.

[Kennyrauder]

Don't waste your time . Real Marauder Men realize fairies are cute & cuddly but a Vorteck will keep ya real happy. Just kidd'n ya a bit. I'm coming down for the Marauderville IV in Orlando...Nov06. I have a Reinhart S/C & am really hoping to have a good run in Gainsville.... we are coming from Canada to visit y'all. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!