I wanted to thank each of you for your kind words... this has been a difficult experience, to be sure.

I'll try to answer some of your questions. First, I have the only keys to the car and they are always in my possession...I cannot imagine that could have been how the car was stolen. Bolt cutters were used to cut the chain on the motorized gate to the garage, which was then forced open by hand. The car was of course locked so the driver's side window was apparently smashed (judging by the remaining glass) and the Club device on the steering wheel would have had to have been disabled, before the ignition started in some way. The car was driven out - my neighbor heard it and wondered what I was doing leaving at 5AM.

Clearly, my car was the goal... other frankly more valuable cars in the same garage beneath my building were ignored. Inside job? who knows. Its sunny and has palm trees but LA is still a big nasty city.

In terms of additional info about it - its a 1988 s4 auto Venetian Blue exterior/dark blue interior. 17" Turbo Twist wheels, exhuast bypass (its pretty loud), big GTS front brakes, 137,000 miles, small 1" crack in the front bumper, double tailpipe design, original square mirrors. Interior had blue carpet on the dash, an all black momo steering wheel, black and silver shifter, new Sony stereo with black face, Infinity speakers all around...

VIN: WP0JB0923JS860418

California plates: 4LXY782


I'll let you know if there are any developments. thanks again for keeping your eyes peeled.

dave

Dave-

I know your pain. Two days ago, my second car, a Ford Aerostar minivan was stolen from the apartment that I'm living at in Fort Lauderdale. The long and short is that I'm not sure I locked the hatch when I parked it. Since Aerostars are pretty much heinous...its obvious that this was a target of opportunity rather than desire [928] or partability [Honda Accord].

The Aerostar turned up yesterday at a McDonalds about a mile from my house; I guess someone wanted a "Big Mac" a bit too much.

I'll be looking for a silver-blue 928; I'm going to be in Anchorage and New York over the next few days.

N!

I'll keep my eyes peeled in Minnesota, FWIW

Wow, thats a painful & scary story to read. I don't know you Dave, but I truly feel your pain! The trouble that they went to & to be successful like that. I would have thought that car was as safe as Fort Knox! They knew what they were after & sound like they were pros. Makes me less confident even when my 928 gets at least some time in my garage & scared to put it back on the driveway at night instead of my 02 325. They can have the Beemer!! Those are a dime a dozen!

I will keep an eye out here in Jacksonville, Fla. You'd think your unfortunate car is either out of the country or being parted out though as rare as they are becoming. Someone had to either know you & the car or some pro had knowledge of someone wanting a prime 928. That lends to the out of the country thought perhaps.

I sent all of your car's info & the pic to one of the salesmen here at Brumos Porsche, he also owns an 83 928. He seems to have his finger on the pulse of anything Porsche going on in the area, so he will keep his eyes & ears open for your car too I'm sure. Good Luck!

Mel Ward
85 928 Gold/brn

Hey Dave, Who put in your Sony stereo & how long ago was it put in?? Knew of a case once long while back where an installer at a stereo shop was connected with guys in a car theft ring. He got to check out cars first hand when he installed a system. He also had access to the owner's address where the car would be, which was then passed on to the actual crooks who would then wait a bit before swiping the car. Or if anyone else new has been exposed to your car of late that might have alterior motives perhaps? Just a thought, ya never know??? Mel

Sorry to hear about your loss. We'll keep an eye out in the southeast. Hope it ends up well!

I'm sorry, but somebody has to ask. Was the painful part getting the Aerostar back? :confused: I'd be dancing in the streets if someone stole our Intrepid! :jumper:

Sounds like a "Gone in 60 Seconds" type of setup where they have been watching your car for a while.

I remember when a friend of mine took his 928 to Chicago for the weekend. Pulled a few relay's each night to prevent theft.

If the stereo shop had the key for the day, they could have made a dup pretty quick. Or sent a picture of it in.

Things that make you go hmmmm.

I will spread the word in the Pacific Northwest. I thought these cars were immune since they are much harder to steal than most, and very visible. Sharkskin is tooling around Seattle right now in a Marble Grey 32V ..... I think he's having fun.

That is a lot of trouble to get a car such as the 928. I went to bed before I saw your second post Dave and thought about the garages in my building. Besides the tenants, the garbage disposal guys have universal remotes. There goes that theory though.

The other thing I did was go get my Audi keys out of my 928 which I left on the street last night. I always thought these cars were immune as well....I mean, what are you really going to do with one unless you love em?

I saw a stolen 86 down at 20th street a couple years ago. They pulled out the door lock and I think they did something to the ignition. I think 20th just put in another switch to keep it running. The shark had a couple of small dents, the stereo and speakers were gone.

That is getting a new set of door locks it wasn't totally destroyed.

Sorry to hear about your car. Myself and the rest of us Socal guys will keep and eye out for it...

Dave
I'll keep an eye out in the other hotbed of vehicle theft...the norcal valley (top 4 in the nation for theft).

A couple quick facts...most stolen cars are recovered in 48 hours or less...typically stripped for parts. However high end cars often just disappear....usually to foreign countries, so fellow listers be on the lookout for this car for sale outside of the USA! It might be too late, but take a cruise down by the long beach pier?

My bet is, the parts are already on ebay or will show up there.

The guy I know at Brumos said you can pretty well bet your car is already in or on its way to another country, & not being stripped for parts.
Mel