Attempted Bronco Theft!

[FerrumCampitor]

Actually I don’t think they were actually trying to steal it. Of if they were, they were idiots! I think more likely it was some teenagers causing trouble. So I come out to my bronco this morning to find that it was backed into the garage door! I’m glad I have the spare tire on the back as I think that’s the only thing that kept it from breaking the glass windows. The garage door was pushed in about 6-8 inches, although I think it bent and didn’t break (wood panels) thank goodness.

I’m guessing what happened is some kids saw the ignition switch hanging out from the dash board (it needs to be replaced so why put it back in right?), and probably thought “hey let’s hotwire it and take it for a drive!” They didn’t pay any attention to the fact that it was in gear, tried to start it and it lurched back into the garage door. Then that scared them off. All this is total speculation though. Sounds like something I might have been party too with some of my teen year friends.

I tucked the ignition switch back up into the dash (out of sight out of mind I hope). And when I get home, I think I will disconnect the battery in case the hoodlums get any more bright ideas. Although I could be completely wrong. Maybe the rain storm caused the ignition switch to short out and the bronco came to life on its own in true Bronco “Carrie-like” fashion? With a bronco, it wouldn’t surprise me!

 

[1owner66]

Sound like either a downright thief or troublemaking kids to me. I wonder, is there any way of hooking an injection seat to the ignition switch?

 

[FerrumCampitor]

People keep telling me that electrocuting a thief is illegal. But if ever there were a car to try it on, it would be the bronco! Maybe I'll leave the ignition hanging down again, but this time with a wire strung out from a 110 outlet in the garage attached to one side, and a ground strap running to the basketball pole on the other. It doesn't have a top on it so I don't have to worry about burned hair smell stinking it up!

 

[sprdv1]

Well I hate it when that shit happens.. Live & Learn right

 

[trlblazr]

People keep telling me that electrocuting a thief is illegal. But if ever there were a car to try it on, it would be the bronco! Maybe I'll leave the ignition hanging down again, but this time with a wire strung out from a 110 outlet in the garage attached to one side, and a ground strap running to the basketball pole on the other. It doesn't have a top on it so I don't have to worry about burned hair smell stinking it up!

I like the idea. Just don’t forget its there.

 

[73stallion]

did you hear it happen, or find it this morning?

 

[Michael A]

Injection seat?!

 

[22213evl]

are you sure the garage didn't move forward. hmmm.

 

[Nobody]

Are you parked on an incline? If your compression starts getting weak, it will ever so slowly creep downhill.

 

[Case]

People keep telling me that electrocuting a thief is illegal. But if ever there were a car to try it on, it would be the bronco! Maybe I'll leave the ignition hanging down again, but this time with a wire strung out from a 110 outlet in the garage attached to one side, and a ground strap running to the basketball pole on the other. It doesn't have a top on it so I don't have to worry about burned hair smell stinking it up!

i would take the lead off the coil and attach it to the seat frame, just make sure you dont forget about it. ;D

 

[taipeichris]

I had someone try to steal mine recently parked on a nice public street. They broke the ignition switch, couldn't get it started or couldn't figure out how to drive it. I keep the trans shifter in "N" when I park it and it's got a good kill switch. They broke my radio, took my extra converse chucks, my plastic gas can, and did some serious yanking on my column wire harness which still has to be redone. Grrr...they'd be lucky if all I did was electricute them! Still drove it home, no signals, no horn...
C-

 

[bptommy]

In texas I believe your bronco is coverd by the castle law, since you need your transportaion to make a living

The Texas law protects citizens when an intruder is:

1.) committing certain violent crimes 2.) unlawfully trying to enter a protected place or, 3.) unlawfully trying to remove a person from a protected place.

The law also provides civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in the above circumstances

happy electrocuting ;D

 

[mustangtoby]

It used to be legal to shoot horse thiefs! (someone had to say it!)

 

[msweb]

In texas I believe your bronco is coverd by the castle law, since you need your transportaion to make a living

The Texas law protects citizens when an intruder is:

1.) committing certain violent crimes 2.) unlawfully trying to enter a protected place or, 3.) unlawfully trying to remove a person from a protected place.

The law also provides civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in the above circumstances

happy electrocuting ;D

First of all, let me say I'm all for the Castle Law and the use of deadly force when justified. Additionally, I think any theif is an idiot and should be shot ont the grounds of "He needed killin".

I don't know about the 3 things you outlined and how they connect to making a living though. I'd stick with "He needed killin" ;D

 

[Madgyver]

Keep a pet snake in there or a scorpion.

 

[FerrumCampitor]

did you hear it happen, or find it this morning?

I found it when I left for work in the morning. But it had to have happened while I was out on Sunday because I always back my truck up to the bronco and I was backed up to it. Just didn't realize when I parked that the bronco had moved back 2 feet!

Are you parked on an incline? If your compression starts getting weak, it will ever so slowly creep downhill.

Yes, but it went UP the driveway!


There have been some stories from other LEBC members on the email list of their broncos attempting to start on their own. So that isn't out of the question, especially since the timing may have coincided with a large thunderstorm, i.e. lots of rain. May have shorted the switch. Either way, the ignition is out of sight now and the battery cable is disconnected. If it happens again, then I will KNOW it was a person. The battery will be hooked back up again and the coil wire might just accidentally get grounded somewhere it shouldn't normally be.

 

[grs44310]

Injection seat?!

A lead injection seat maybe...

 

[1970mule]

i had a truck stolen once, and got it back but they had blow the transmission. but it was ok it was a jeep wrangler so no big deal. but i start to tear up with rage just thinking of some jerk face trying to steal my mule. grrrrrr.

 

[wareaglebronc]

I would put it closer to the street and put a sign on it inviting them to try again if they think that they are so bada$$ and then lay in wait somwhere in the yard, in a covered position, with paintball guns. When the little turds showed up and were commited then BANG! Time for some pain!!! I think that would cure the problem that thier parents seem to be failing at correcting!

 

[FerrumCampitor]

The plot thickens....

So yesterday I get home from work and a truck pulls up across the street from me. A well dressed (white shirt and tie), well groomed (was he wearing makeup?) guy gets out and introduces himself to me. He said he was with Channel 13 (local channel) news and they were investigating some tip that their had been a rash of vehicle break-ins in our neighborhood - like 50+! I told him about my bronco being moved and he seemed uninterested saying that they were just breaking in and stealing things, not stealing the cars. He thanked me for my time and asked if I knew anyone that might have some more information for him as they were having a hard time verifying the tip. I said no and he left.

So later that night I was relaying the story to my neighbor and he said that this "kid" we knew in the neighborhood who was on probation was out a couple of weeks ago breaking into cars, he got picked up (and hopefully went back to the tank!). And at the same time, this guy who used to live with my neighbors across the street and was buddies with this kid, showed up again. The neighbors kicked him out months ago after he caused some trouble and they found out he was doing cocaine. Well both he and this kid had made remarks on a few occasions about how much they liked my bronco. So now I'm really wondering if they were involved. They are exactly the type that I can see doing something like this, and are both stupid enough to try to steal a car only to not notice that it was in gear. The only thing is that my neighbors information and the timeline of my incident don't line up. But still...

Anyone have plans for an injection seat?