Oh No - My Truck Was Stolen

[wz2p7j]

One of my landscape crews was down in Detroit today finishing a big commercial job. All the mowers were loaded on the trailer and the crew leader went off to do some spraying and left the keys on the floor. Came back 10 minutes later and the truck, trailer, 3 mowers and all the rest of the equipment were gone.

He called the Detroit police and waited over 4 hours for someone to come and take a report. No unit ever showed. Finally one of our other crews took him a truck and he drove to the precinct. They told him he couldn't file a report because he didn't have the registration. So now he's driving back to the office to pick one up. Lots of witnesses but it happened 6 hours ago so the case is already getting cold.

My only hope might be that I had a GPS unit installed in that truck. It wasn't active but I called the company up to have it re-activated. Should be back on line in a few hours. Maybe I can locate my stuff.

Bad day. :(:( Chris

[disneyjoe7]

That Sucks.

[shack]

The crew leader needs to be fired. If the keys were in his pocket you would probably still have your truck and equipment. Where was the rest of the crew? They must not have been using the equipment...cause it was all on the truck and trailer. It will be interesting to see what your insurance co. (if insured) will do about it since the keys were left in the truck.

[thsmith]

Be careful if you can locate them. I suspect most everything has been sold and any good parts on the truck or trailer are gone.

It sucks that someone would still the tools used to make a living.

[hearingimpared]

Bummer. I hope things turn out for the best.

[wz2p7j]

Where was the rest of the crew? They must not have been using the equipment...cause it was all on the truck and trailer.

The last thing they do at some accounts is spraying. There were 2 guys on that crew and they took off for 10 minutes with their back pack sprayers on. I guess that's why Joe thought the keys were OK as he was only going to be away from the truck for a couple minutes.

Yes - we are heavily insured but this is going to cost me I just know it.

Chris

[NJPOLKER]

Good luck

Detroit?? And keys were left in the vehicle? The cops should arrest your employee for being so stupid.

[thuffman03]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you get your stuff back.

[apphd]

That sucks Chris, hope it works out as good as possible for ya. Maybe you should only work in better neighborhoods:eek: ;)

[wz2p7j]

That sucks Chris, hope it works out as good as possible for ya. Maybe you should only work in better neighborhoods:eek: ;)

Yeah - I knew that zinger was coming at me from a mile away :):):) But one of our biggest contracts is with a Detroit utility and some of the sites are right in the city.

Oh well, the truck they stole, they can keep, it was the worst in our fleet. I can back up some of the equipment lost myself and maybe use the insurance check to upgrade some other stuff. So maybe this won't work out that bad after all.


Chris

[BeRad]

Ouch. That really sucks man.
I know around here that (at least under auto insurance) theft isn't covered if you leave the keys in the vehicle. Not sure how the commercial insurance would work out though.

I hope it all turns out for the best. It IS the season for lemonade you know! :)

[dudeinaroom]

Chris, I feel for ya. I live about 2.5 hours north of Detroit and even up here you don't leave your keys in your vehicle, even if you're gone 10 seconds. And as far as that insurance check, you probably won't get one because the keys were in the vehicle and it was unlocked (I know someone who had this happen in their driveway.) Hope it works out for you, keep us posted. By the way, where are you located?

Later,
Dude

[wz2p7j]

Chris, I feel for ya. I live about 2.5 hours north of Detroit and even up here you don't leave your keys in your vehicle, even if you're gone 10 seconds. And as far as that insurance check, you probably won't get one because the keys were in the vehicle and it was unlocked (I know someone who had this happen in their driveway.) Hope it works out for you, keep us posted. By the way, where are you located?

Later,
Dude

I live in West Bloomfield. The business is in Westland.

Already talked to my insurance guy - we're covered. Insurance claims where the carrier says they don't have to pay because the keys were in the vehicle or the door to the house was unlocked rarely hold up. Only if outright fraud is proven. People just aren't 'sposed to steal yer stuff! :):)

Chris

Chris

[ND13]

Fargin bastages. Next thing you know they'll be stealing your customers, too.

[disneyjoe7]

The thing must be HUGE not easily hidden, where is it?

[tom t]

keep us posted on this. it will be interesting to see if the truck is ever found,good luck

[wz2p7j]

Things are getting interesting. I guy called Joe today and said he found Joe's wallet (which Joe had left in the truck when it was stolen. Then he added that he knew where the truck and trailer were and asked if there was a reward. I had Joe play along and he told him maybe $500. Now the story has changed again and the guy told Joe he actually has the truck and trailer and wants our $500.

So we called the police again and now "special operations" is involved. I guess they are going to do some prowling around tonight in unmarked cars but most of the guys are assigned to cover the fireworks in Detroit tomrrow. There is some talk they may want us to supply company t-shirts to impersonate us and go meet the blackmailers. :cool::cool:

Chris

[treitz3]

I'd LOVE to see the look on the criminal's faces when they find out that they are dealing directly with law enforcement officers.

Good luck dude. I know how it feels to have your business robbed. I had my trailer broken into about 4 or 5 years ago and the bandits took well over 7K worth of stuff. Then I had to spend all day removing the 150' trail of paint they left all over the pavement and then drive almost 3 hours [one way] to get the trailer repaired. They were never caught and I never did see any of the equipment again.

[George Grand]

I really hope everything works out for you, you didn't deserve that. As for the crew leader, whether he should be fired or not, your call. But that is one mistake he will never make again. Guaranteed!

[wz2p7j]

Joe' a pretty good kid. Stuff like this just seems to happen to him. He's learned a huge lesson and I don't plan on letting him go.


Plus I can harass him over this for years to come. I've already asked him where the operating manual says "leave with truck and trailer in morning, return on foot at night?" Should be good for a few years of laughs.

:):) Chris

[apphd]

Sorry couldn't pass it up:D The part about hoping things work out was sincere, the punch line, as you got it, was just bustin'.




Things are getting interesting. I guy called Joe today and said he found Joe's wallet (which Joe had left in the truck when it was stolen. Then he added that he knew where the truck and trailer were and asked if there was a reward. I had Joe play along and he told him maybe $500. Now the story has changed again and the guy told Joe he actually has the truck and trailer and wants our $500.

So we called the police again and now "special operations" is involved. I guess they are going to do some prowling around tonight in unmarked cars but most of the guys are assigned to cover the fireworks in Detroit tomrrow. There is some talk they may want us to supply company t-shirts to impersonate us and go meet the blackmailers. :cool::cool:

Chris
This I really hope goes well, get all or most of your stuff back and the scum bag gets busted.

Joe' a pretty good kid. Stuff like this just seems to happen to him. He's learned a huge lesson and I don't plan on letting him go.


Plus I can harass him over this for years to come. I've already asked him where the operating manual says "leave with truck and trailer in morning, return on foot at night?" Should be good for a few years of laughs.

:):) Chris

Nice to see you are maintaining your sense of humor. It can help with sh*t like this.

[Toolfan66]

KID ROCK stole it for extra coke money!!

[nooshinjohn]

Maybe the truck is on OverHaulin':D

[dudeinaroom]

KID ROCK stole it for extra coke money!!

No, it would have been Eminem stealing it for money for crack.


I live in West Bloomfield. The business is in Westland.

Already talked to my insurance guy - we're covered. Insurance claims where the carrier says they don't have to pay because the keys were in the vehicle or the door to the house was unlocked rarely hold up. Only if outright fraud is proven. People just aren't 'sposed to steal yer stuff! :):)

Chris

Chris

My wife grew up in Novi and her folks are still there so we're down that way a few times a year. Glad every thing's covered and can't wait to hear about the "takedown!"

Later,
dude

[apphd]

No, it would have been Eminem stealing it for money for crack.

Later,
dude


I don't know, have you seen Kid Rock lately? Looks like he has one foot in the grave