Why did the car thieves toss the rear view mirror?

[Anonymous]

Woke up this morning to find our car had been stolen from the driveway. Merry Christmas! It’s a nice neighborhood and a decent though old car (Audi 2010 q5). The cops think it wasn’t a joy ride and is probably on a boat overseas by now.... but later in the day our neighbor found the rearview mirror on the side of the road a few houses down. Any idea why the thieves would toss the mirror?

[Anonymous]

Seems strange they'd take a 10 year old car.

[Anonymous]

My mirror has my garage door code on it. Can they do something with that?

[Anonymous]

Thieves usually steal what is available, not what‘s “best”. How hard was it to steal your car? Also, can the police run fingerprints on the mirror? Perhaps the thieves thought there was an identifying item on the mirror.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if they think that breaking off the rear view mirror will prevent the car from being tracked via "On Star" or whatever similar system an Audi has? (I have no idea if this would work or not. I'm guessing no.)

[Anonymous]

They only wanted to look to the future?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure its your mirror?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if they think that breaking off the rear view mirror will prevent the car from being tracked via "On Star" or whatever similar system an Audi has? (I have no idea if this would work or not. I'm guessing no.)

I think no. The cellular radio is usually somewhere else. I can't comment on aftermarket OnStar units. Of course, who knows how smart the thieves are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure its your mirror?

We live in a quiet neighborhood, and the mirror has an Audi stamp imprinted into it. The neighbor who found it walks his dogs multiple times a day and I think he would have noticed it if it had been there before. So not 100% sure but pretty confident.

I will submit it for fingerprints - which sounds crazy but we are in a pretty nice city where the cops actually do that kind of stuff. My friend lives a few blocks away and someone broke into her car in the driveway and stole $40 from the console. The cops dusted and three months later got a hit when the guy did something else - and made this guy pay restitution to her. She got a check for $40 a few months later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure its your mirror?

We live in a quiet neighborhood, and the mirror has an Audi stamp imprinted into it. The neighbor who found it walks his dogs multiple times a day and I think he would have noticed it if it had been there before. So not 100% sure but pretty confident.

I will submit it for fingerprints - which sounds crazy but we are in a pretty nice city where the cops actually do that kind of stuff. My friend lives a few blocks away and someone broke into her car in the driveway and stole $40 from the console. The cops dusted and three months later got a hit when the guy did something else - and made this guy pay restitution to her. She got a check for $40 a few months later.

Where??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure its your mirror?

We live in a quiet neighborhood, and the mirror has an Audi stamp imprinted into it. The neighbor who found it walks his dogs multiple times a day and I think he would have noticed it if it had been there before. So not 100% sure but pretty confident.

I will submit it for fingerprints - which sounds crazy but we are in a pretty nice city where the cops actually do that kind of stuff. My friend lives a few blocks away and someone broke into her car in the driveway and stole $40 from the console. The cops dusted and three months later got a hit when the guy did something else - and made this guy pay restitution to her. She got a check for $40 a few months later.

Where??

No longer in DC. Don't worry - we had our fair share of indifferent DC cops for years too.....

[Anonymous]

It's a big thick mirror right? In our Audi, that has the antenna or connectors for some stuff.. maybe that's why.. tracking concern.

[Anonymous]

I thought only Hondas got stolen.

All kidding aside, OP I truly hope you get whoever stole your car.

It’s never a good time to take off w/someone’s vehicle - but there should be a special place in he%# for anyone who does this so close to Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They only wanted to look to the future?

[Anonymous]

Most cars are worth more as parts and skilled theives can break it down for parts fast and quietly.

My friend woke up and went outside one morning to find his car on blocks with his tires and everything valuable under the hood stripped out.

https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/sum-parts-greater-whole-car-thieves