69 Camaro STOLEN at Goodguys Columbus, Ohio
 

We were there for the Goodguys this weekend, a Chevelle was stolen from our hotel, another chevelle broke into and destroyed column trying to steal, a friends generator was taken, and also heard 8 cars taken from another hotel. Seems like they take things that are easy to get to and close to the entrance. My Nova was farther in the parking lot and unlocked, wasn't touched. Also seems like the trend was camaros and chevelles. Cops said hotel owners should have security for these events because this is common.

Stolen Cars
 

Security for the parking lots should be automatically provided. There are continuous reports of stolen vehicles from these events.

Dave

Pointing out the obvious, but if the cops acknowledged the elevated risk, weren't they patrolling those lots?

Vin 124379N651299

I was parked directly across from this guy at the same hotel. He came out to find his column lock cylinder on the ground in the spot where his Camaro was. It's a sickening feeling to realize how easily it could have been you. I can't imagine how he feels.

Interesting thought is what happens hypothetically if 20 years ago he sold his original motor to someone at a swap meet. The person now goes to sell it 20 years after buying it and it comes up as a stolen cars engine . I assume it would come down to proving he bought it before the car was stolen? Interesting dynamic.

I know a guy with my transmission and he won't sell it back to me, should I call the cops? I have the paper work. LOL

The cops we talked to were very nice, seems like they had all on duty. They were actually drug task undercovers that were transferred up for the weekend. But he also informed us that the hotels or anyone that wants to hire them for private security can do so at $50 an hr. He said the hotels make enough money that they should be paying it. Sucks to the people that lost their cars but they are long gone.

This is why I sleep in the tow vehicle in the hotel parking lot.

On a former show quality car I built, I added a modern wireless alarm that was hidden with GPS and Fenced zone. I could monitor the car, track it, shut it down wirelessly, but also had hidden interrupts wired in so if the alarm was tripped, it disabled the fuel pump and ignition. It also had a built in pager on my key fob that alerted me and interfaced with my iPhone as well.

Anyone who parks a car outside at a hotel should be thinking of an ignition interupt and disabling something before they park it to prevent it being stolen. It's a 21st century world where 50 year old cars are just too easy to steal. Even trailers should be equipped with hidden GPS systems in case your entire rig is stolen with the tow rig, trailer and car behind it. It happens all the time.

This is why I don’t go to these big events anymore.

Very unfortunate and sad to hear it is common enough to discourage people from attending these events.

I was down there on Friday at the show.

The sad thing is that there is most likely a very low probability that these cars will be recovered... Unfortunately this type of event also draws the car thieves as well...

Our Northern Ohio Chevelle Show coming up in August will have parking lot security, off duty police officers in uniform, plus marked cruisers patrol the lot by officers while on their tour of duty. The Chevelle club hires them not the hotel.

Rich

I have alarm systems in my cars...…..The hood, doors, and trunk along with a motion sensor ……...I can be in my room and if somebody comes along and causes any motion to the car etc. …….. the key FOB from the alarm it will beep and show what sensor was activated...…..also when the alarm is activated, there is a siren and relays that disable the starter and ignition system...…….Not a perfect set-up , but better than nothing !!!!

It truly is a sad state of affairs when owners with nice, and likely somewhat very rare cars , that these owners are still willing to take to big shows , and crap like this happens,....