Epidemic of Model 3 small window break-ins

[YisSerL]

It is getting out of hand. I go to Mitsuwa sometimes too.

Did you just report it back to Tesla that the loaner got broken into?

 

[Skidmark]

Would it be possible to get about 3/8" thick plexiglass made to the same curvature and size of the small windows and then glue them to the outside of those windows? That should help deter the break ins.

 

[Reeler]

All Tesla would have to do is add a glass break sensor that alarms immediately and records with the side view cameras. The thieves target Teslas because they can easily get a peek into the trunk without an alarm ending their crime spree for a few minutes. Once known for immediately alarmining and recording the crime, Teslas will no longer be a target.

Better yet, just use that deep learning AI system to recognize this happening and alarm or squawk before they break the window altogether.

 

[chezedog]

Did this happen in the Bay Area ?

Nope. In other news, I was overly optimistic. Still not fixed. I had to fashion a temporary patch with silicone and corru-plast.

 

[cypho]

If replacing a broken window is more costly than anything you have left in the car, how about just leaving the doors unlocked? Or do the thieves break the glass before even checking to see if the doors are locked?

 

[SMAlset]

If replacing a broken window is more costly than anything you have left in the car, how about just leaving the doors unlocked? Or do the thieves break the glass before even checking to see if the doors are locked?

If you leave your car unlocked it could end up housing someone while they drink, do drugs or whatever and end up with it trashed inside. There are reports of that too on the forums and reddit.

 

[2018M3]

After reading about this "break the rear window to access seat latch" thing, it happened to us yesterday. Two other cars hit in the same parking lot in 5 minutes time. Broad daylight, lots of people around. The "security guard" seemed more concerned with this happening at the end of his shift than anything else. Our insurance company, Tesla, and Safelite are dancing about, and if we're lucky someone will be by today to replace the window.

where were you, so if we local can be more careful

 

[chibi_kurochan]

My Model S loaner had the quarter window broken at Mitsuwa a couple of days ago. Nothing in the car.

Ouch, that's a pain. not quite sure what else can be done to prevent this. this thread has gotten pretty long and probably will only get longer as we have a ton more model 3 on the Road now.

 

[Prunesquallor]

Not the answer a lot of people want, but....

"If someone’s breaking into your vehicle in the nighttime, the law becomes much more clear. Texas statutes say that you can, if you act reasonably, use deadly force against someone committing a theft during the nighttime.

The person who’s breaking into your vehicle is doing so presumably to commit a theft of what’s inside, so if you witness this activity in the night time, so long as you’re acting reasonably, as determined by potentially a judge or a jury, you can have the right in Texas to use deadly force against that person.

Day or night, you always have the right to use force against the person who’s committing the burglary of a motor vehicle. Use of force can look like a lot of different things, could look like anything from verbal commands to stop to actually physically going over and stopping the person with your hands, engaging them physically with your hands."

-U.S. and Texas LawShield

 

[Altes]

If you live in the SF bay area PLEASE get a 0 deductible glass policy, relatively cheap even with state farm

 

[Altes]

Not the answer a lot of people want, but....

"If someone’s breaking into your vehicle in the nighttime, the law becomes much more clear. Texas statutes say that you can, if you act reasonably, use deadly force against someone committing a theft during the nighttime.

The person who’s breaking into your vehicle is doing so presumably to commit a theft of what’s inside, so if you witness this activity in the night time, so long as you’re acting reasonably, as determined by potentially a judge or a jury, you can have the right in Texas to use deadly force against that person.

Day or night, you always have the right to use force against the person who’s committing the burglary of a motor vehicle. Use of force can look like a lot of different things, could look like anything from verbal commands to stop to actually physically going over and stopping the person with your hands, engaging them physically with your hands."

-U.S. and Texas LawShield

Yes by all means.....kill them....

 

[energy7]

It is getting out of hand. I go to Mitsuwa sometimes too.

Did you just report it back to Tesla that the loaner got broken into?

Tesla offers loaners through Enterprise so I had to work with them to get the glass fixed. Dropped off the loaner yesterday, Enterprise will get the quote from Precision Auto Glass (which I already have but they have to do it themselves). Then they'll let me know how much and I'll engage my insurance as necessary.

 

[Big Dog]

All Tesla would have to do is add a glass break sensor that alarms immediately and records with the side view cameras. The thieves target Teslas because they can easily get a peek into the trunk without an alarm ending their crime spree for a few minutes. Once known for immediately alarmining and recording the crime, Teslas will no longer be a target.

I think you assume way too much: 1) that crooks care when an alarm goes off -- they don't since no one else does either; 2) that local Calif. cops care about so-called petty crimes -- cops don't, even when you provide video evidence. DA's will not prosecute so cops will not investigate.

 

[glide]

Not the answer a lot of people want, but....

"If someone’s breaking into your vehicle in the nighttime, the law becomes much more clear. Texas statutes say that you can, if you act reasonably, use deadly force against someone committing a theft during the nighttime.

The person who’s breaking into your vehicle is doing so presumably to commit a theft of what’s inside, so if you witness this activity in the night time, so long as you’re acting reasonably, as determined by potentially a judge or a jury, you can have the right in Texas to use deadly force against that person.

Day or night, you always have the right to use force against the person who’s committing the burglary of a motor vehicle. Use of force can look like a lot of different things, could look like anything from verbal commands to stop to actually physically going over and stopping the person with your hands, engaging them physically with your hands."

-U.S. and Texas LawShield

The deadly force-route is just as stupid as the no enforcement-route.

There is a happy medium if the police and politicians do their jobs.

 

[gyzmodo]

Got a chance to speak with a couple officers from SJPD last night and asked about the rash of Tesla breakins. Here's a quick summary of that conversation.

• They're well aware of the problem.
• The name of the criminal ring mostly responsible for the breakins is call "Ghost Town".
• These punks are mostly from different cities and will drive down to San Jose.
• They recently performed a sting and apprehended a large group last month.
• Anyone associated with "Ghost Town" will be arrested.
• The cars they ride in will typically be rentals or stolen vehicles. They may have stolen plates or none at all.
• Breakins occur during the day as well.
• They are extremely understaffed.
• Definitely report the breakins. This will identify the "hot spots" and will help bring attention to the need for additional resources to their management and city officials.

I had mine broken into last month at the Nordstrom parking lot at Valley Fair. A witness left a note on my car. The description of the car was a matte black 2006 Mercedes CLS. I'm paranoid every time I park anywhere now. I've lowered my deductible and purchased the doberman glass vibration sensor alarm (Doberman Security Ultra-Slim Door Window Alarm (2-Pack)-SE-0106-2PK - The Home Depot). Still figuring out an easy way to put that thing on and off the rear quarter panel window. Already got a XPEL PPF film cut out but may use some scotch tape along with it to easily mount on and off. Don't really want to drive around with that thing mounted all the time. Seats are left down now but my windows are tinted so it'll be hard for these punks to initially see the seats down. May put some battery operated light (GE Touch Activated White LED Puck Light (2-Pack)-25434 - The Home Depot) in the trunk so it's more illuminated and visible through the tint.

We now drive our old BMW whenever we know we'll be parked somewhere for some extended period of time. A sad situation overall...

 

[TEG]

Ghost Town, Oakland, California - Wikipedia
Ghosttown - Oakland - LocalWiki

‘Ghost Town Gang’ Auto Burglar With $1 Million Arrest Warrant Eludes Pursuing Officers

21 Suspects Indicted in Car Burglary Ring: DA

...A grand jury indicted 21 suspects on 72 counts for more than 50 "sophisticated" car break-ins in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View and other cities, prosecutors said...

^^^ That was in 2015. Obviously it hasn't stopped the problem.

...It appeared the gang followed a route throughout the Bay Area targeting shopping centers, including Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto and McCarthy Ranch Marketplace in Milpitas, according to Patel.
They allegedly rented cars and roamed through mall parking lots, where they targeted certain cars that they broke into in small groups, according to prosecutors...

...They allegedly burglarized multiple cars and in many cases used a window breaking tool to enter the vehicles, Patel said.
The suspects allegedly stole from the vehicles hundreds of iPads, iPhones, laptops and other electronics that were easy to resell, prosecutors said...

..."What's exceptional here is the brazenness of their scheme and the scope of the conduct involved -- there's hardly a city in the entire Bay Area that this group didn't hit," Patel said in a statement...

DA: Oakland's 'Ghost Town Gang' planned break-ins across Bay Area

 

[TEG]

Many of the same names keeps popping up in various stories:

21 Suspects Indicted in Car Burglary Ring: DA

...Deante Menefee, 27, Sitteruiet Taylor, 36, Lamont Williams, 26, Exrill Wilson 32, and Andrew Peacock were arraigned this afternoon at the Hall of Justice....

‘Ghost Town Gang’ Auto Burglar With $1 Million Arrest Warrant Eludes Pursuing Officers

FREMONT (CBS SF) — A 22-year-old man who has a $1 million warrant for his arrest led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase Friday night near Richmond before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 9:40 p.m., a deputy in North Richmond spotted a red Acura belonging to Eddie Nute, who is wanted in connection with an auto burglary and conspiracy with a gang enhancement, sheriff’s officials said.
The Acura failed to yield for the deputy and fled onto westbound Interstate 80, initiating a pursuit with sheriff’s deputies.
During the pursuit, Nute collided with a minivan, but did not stop. As he was approaching the Bay Bridge, Nute then also struck a Mercedes, causing the Mercedes to lose control.
The sheriff’s deputy then collided with the Mercedes, prompting the deputy to terminate the pursuit, according to sheriff’s officials.

...

...According to police, Nute has been known to commit auto burglaries across the Bay Area in connection with the Oakland-based “Ghost Town Gang.”
Police arrested Nute in October in Millbrae and he was indicted last year by a Santa Clara County Grand Jury on over 50 counts of auto burglary, conspiracy and a gang enhancement....

These are not just casual opportunists... These appear to be serious gang criminals causing mayhem and injury along with chronic auto burglaries...

 

[TEG]

At least 35 cars burglarized in North Berkeley over weekend

By the way, each time I have been by a Tesla Service Center, I have noticed people there bringing in their cars for smashed rear quarter glass.
The volume of these break-ins is out of control.

 

[Prunesquallor]

Yes by all means.....kill them....

And yet....

Eight of the top 20 cities for 2017 per capita auto thefts were in California. Only one was in Texas. (NICB statistics)

 

[TEG]

GRAND JURY INDICTS 21 SUSPECTS FOR OPERATING AN AUTO BURGLARY RING - District Attorney - County of Santa Clara

GRAND JURY INDICTS 21 SUSPECTS FOR OPERATING AN AUTO BURGLARY RING
For release on December 7, 2015

CONTACT:
Sandip Patel, Deputy District Attorney
Gangs Unit
(408) 808-3754

GRAND JURY INDICTS 21 SUSPECTS FOR OPERATING AN AUTO BURGLARY RING

More than 20 members of a violent Oakland street gang have been charged with a string of sophisticated auto break-ins across the Bay Area. One of the defendants suspected in the serial burglaries was also charged with attempted murder for trying to run over a Santa Clara police officer who was trying to arrest him. Another defendant indicted in the case is already facing charges in San Francisco related to the robbery of a TV news crew.

The defendants are alleged to be members or associates of the “Ghost Town Gang.” They have been charged with operating a ring that targeted cars over the last year throughout nine cities in the Bay Area, including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain View.

The indictment alleges that the group committed more than 50 auto burglaries. All 21 defendants face felony vehicular burglary charges with gang allegations that, if proven, could result in substantial state prison sentences. Charged with the attempted murder is 31-year-old Danny Garcia. The in-custody defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Department 24 at the Hall Of Justice.

Said prosecutor Sandip Patel: “What’s exceptional here is the brazenness of their scheme and the scope of the conduct involved – there’s hardly a city in the entire Bay Area that this group didn’t hit.”

The criminal grand jury considered allegations that the gang members would rent cars to scout parking lots in shopping malls, such as the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto and McCarthy Ranch in Milpitas. There, they would use small groups to target cars to break into, typically looking for iPads, iPhones, laptops, and other electronic devices that can be easily re-sold. The grand jury considered allegations that the gang members stole hundreds of such devices during their crime spree.

This case was investigated through the coordination of several Bay Area law enforcement agencies, including: police department detectives from Fremont, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas , Los Altos, East Bay Regional Parks, Pinole, San Mateo, San Francisco and Oakland.


List of In-Custody Suspects as of December 7, 2015:

1. Steven Espadron, 32
2. Jawon Finch, 30
3. Danny Garcia, 31
4. Joey Haines, 31
5. Michael Jones, 23
6. Ricky Joseph, 27
7. Deante Menefee, 27
8. Eddie Nute, 21
9.Andrew Peacock, 28
10. Sitteruiet Taylor, 36
11. Lamont Williams, 26
12. Exrill Wilson, 32