My Mach-E Was Stolen

[Logal727]

The people who steal cars are the bad guys. They’re using the cars in other crimes. They’re committing a serious felony. They’re often armed and just as often rather dangerous. They are the bad folks.

Also, $60k is a pricey car still.

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[DevSecOps]

Also, $60k is a pricey car still.

In California they could just take a piece of the car each day as long as it doesn't total more than $950 and that's not a crime... It would take 1 person a couple months, but if 60 of them got together and did it then it would be gone in one night, no crime committed.

 

[Logal727]

In California they could just take a piece of the car each day as long as it doesn't total more than $950 and that's not a crime... It would take 1 person a couple months, but if 60 of them got together and did it then it would be gone in one night, no crime committed.

Not just CA, like I said in a previous post, I’ve had items stolen from my lawn in FL and cops won’t even write up a report.

 

[louibluey]

I guess I'm sold on AirTag, but beyond the chirp, there is still the problem that it notifies a nearby iPhone other than the owners that they are being tracked. Anyway (I like the bumper storage idea), here is a waterproof case that gets negative reviews becuse it reduces the chirping noise!

https://www.elevationlab.com/products/tagvault

Ordered one, no idea how good it is.

Another interesting strategy by decoy - Stolen scooter tracked down with AirTags in NYC - He had two AirTags hidden in the scooter, a decoy one that was visible, and a more subtle one hidden inside the stem.

 

[Luke]

I guess I'm sold on AirTag, but beyond the chirp, there is still the problem that it notifies a nearby iPhone other than the owners that they are being tracked. Anyway (I like the bumper storage idea), here is a waterproof case that gets negative reviews becuse it reduces the chirping noise!

https://www.elevationlab.com/products/tagvault

Ordered one, no idea how good it is.

Like others mentioned here, just Google: airtag remove speaker
Seems very simple.

 

[louibluey]

Like others mentioned here, just Google: airtag remove speaker
Seems very simple.

Sure, that's good too, but this might be a problem if the thief has an iPhone - AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking. If someone else’s AirTag finds its way into your stuff, your iPhone will notice it’s traveling with you and send you an alert. After a while, if you still haven’t found it, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know it’s there. Of course, if you happen to be with a friend who has an AirTag, or on a train with a whole bunch of people with AirTag, don’t worry. These alerts are triggered only when an AirTag is separated from its owner.

This guy seems to have a good approach to remove the speaker without breaking the tag. Unless you have infinite patience, just start at 1:51 Best way to open and mute (disable speaker) an AirTag with zero damage to the AirTag.

 

[TruWrecks]

Call me a little skeptical.

The OP joined the day this thread was started. Has only participated in this topic. Has not provided any info on how it may have actually been stolen since leaving a fob in the car and locking it will disable the fob and deleting the phone from the car sends a notice immediately to the phone in the Ford Pass App that the vehicle access has been removed.

Something doesn't seem right.

 

[NPVinny]

Call me a little skeptical.

The OP joined the day this thread was started. Has only participated in this topic. Has not provided any info on how it may have actually been stolen since leaving a fob in the car and locking it will disable the fob and deleting the phone from the car sends a notice immediately to the phone in the Ford Pass App that the vehicle access has been removed.

Something doesn't seem right.

What reason would I have to make this up?

I only made this account to post about this because I'm really not a huge car guy and I don't spend my spare time reading or talking about this stuff but was hopeful that a community dedicated to my same vehicle would help me get it back.

I don't specifically remember locking my car. If I had, I would have gotten the fob and I wouldn't be writing this.

I just looked back at my posts and while I didn't specifically mention it here (I did on Reddit: You can view my post history to see I also posted about it there, it's the second item: https://www.reddit.com/user/NPVinny), I did get a notification form FordPass that a master reset had occurred, but the car was stolen in the middle of the night and I didn't see the notification until I woke up.

Anything else?

 

[Kabish]

Airtags are cheap, there is no down side to putting one in the car. At least you would possibly have an idea where your car is for the first 5+ hours its missing vs not having the slightest clue.

 

[TruWrecks]

What reason would I have to make this up?

I only made this account to post about this because I'm really not a huge car guy and I don't spend my spare time reading or talking about this stuff but was hopeful that a community dedicated to my same vehicle would help me get it back.

I don't specifically remember locking my car. If I had, I would have gotten the fob and I wouldn't be writing this.

I just looked back at my posts and while I didn't specifically mention it here (I did on Reddit: You can view my post history to see I also posted about it there, it's the second item: https://www.reddit.com/user/NPVinny), I did get a notification form FordPass that a master reset had occurred, but the car was stolen in the middle of the night and I didn't see the notification until I woke up.

Anything else?

Okay, Well said. I was just curious because I have been on other forums where people would make accounts for drama only. Not accusing. Just asking the possibility that it could happen.

It does suck that it did happen and I hope your car is found or replaced soon.

 

[DanHo]

Airtags are cheap, there is no down side to putting one in the car. At least you would possibly have an idea where your car is for the first 5+ hours its missing vs not having the slightest clue.

The idea is great in concept, but as far as I can tell it only works with one Apple ID. So if my wife takes the car with an AirTag tied to my Apple ID (or vice versa) and is gone longer than 5 hours then the tag starts freaking out. If I'm misreading what I found online about AirTags please let me know because I really like the concept.

 

[txaggies07]

I guess I'm sold on AirTag, but beyond the chirp, there is still the problem that it notifies a nearby iPhone other than the owners that they are being tracked. Anyway (I like the bumper storage idea), here is a waterproof case that gets negative reviews becuse it reduces the chirping noise!

https://www.elevationlab.com/products/tagvault

Ordered one, no idea how good it is.

Another interesting strategy by decoy - Stolen scooter tracked down with AirTags in NYC - He had two AirTags hidden in the scooter, a decoy one that was visible, and a more subtle one hidden inside the stem.

AirTag is supposed to take 8-24 hours of being with someone else before it chirps at them (per Apple website)

 

[theo1000]

The people who steal cars are the bad guys. They’re using the cars in other crimes. They’re committing a serious felony. They’re often armed and just as often rather dangerous. They are the bad folks.

And how does a random blurry image with zero info or context help them? Actual police work does not involve wild goose chases. You have to catch them in the act or its almost impossible to convict for good reasons. Catching bad folks in the act requires a capable police department.

 

[theo1000]

Not just CA, like I said in a previous post, I’ve had items stolen from my lawn in FL and cops won’t even write up a report.

Here in KS I had my $5000 stereo equipment stolen and couple of days later heard it playing in a basement down the street. So I snuck up to a window took pictures of it including identify marks/stickers. I went back tracked down old pictures with same identifying marks. Called the cops who sent lone officer over after 2 weeks.

She said it was not enough. and it was 'just' property crime. No one was threatened etc. She also said that I could easily have been shot or arrested if I was caught in the act. And to not do it. No report nothing. She said she could could not even see any signs of a break-in!

So I filed for insurance and thankfully they paid out a chunk of it. I sold that property a year later.

 

[EELinneman]

And how does a random blurry image with zero info or context help them? Actual police work does not involve wild goose chases. You have to catch them in the act or its almost impossible to convict for good reasons. Catching bad folks in the act requires a capable police department.

I think Theo brings up a valid point. I still don't have a car, but let's say when I do get it, the car gets stolen. I've hidden an airtag with the speaker disabled in the car and it's telling me roughly where it is. Do I go and confront the people who have it? No, I call real law enforcement. Do I go to the area and try to get pictures or video? Absolutely. When I was in high school in San Diego a friend had his 60's Camaro stolen. Months later, he spotted it in Mexico and stole it back. Seems like a great way to get killed now. If the car was stolen and just sitting unoccupied, do I take it back? Interesting question. Regardless, I still call 911 and provide details.

I generally believe that Law enforcement is doing their best. We know cops here in Colorado and the rank & file are just trying to get home to their family safely, not get in trouble with rules and judgement that they don't control and help stop crime. Not being a LEO, I'm not able or inclined to do their jobs.

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