Yesterday on my way home I spotted two criminals steeling the copper wire from a local manhole that provides us our street lighting. I slowly drove by them going the opposite direction. Upon witnessing one ripping the wire up from manhole I got on the phone with the police (hands free jawbone).

I got to the end of the street and turned around while I was waiting to be connected. I'm in this stupid white Toyota Camry, important to note in a minute. They must have seen me because they got hurried.

I saw them jump in their car, so I pegged it to get close enough to take a picture, all while still waiting for the police to answer the darn call.

My little rental car didn't have much in it, and couldn't make up the 200-300 feet between me and the Lancer before they made a right turn. I came to a roll and blew the sign, while still on hold with the police. The Camry couldn't keep up and in short order the 200 feet became a 1/2 mile while we raced down a quiet street at 50-60mph. I just had it to the floor.

They jumped on the freeway and let it rip, my rental Camry got dropped at 70mph. The police never picked up the call, about 3-4 minutes on hold. So upset I raced over to the police station to report the crime. To which I was told there was nothing they could do, and if I wanted I could either file a report or wait for an officer.

The lady at the front desk couldn't really get her mind around what they'd be able to do without a plate. I left in frustration.

For any of you who are dealing with these thieves you know it's coming out of your tax dollars, at union wages and leaves you without street lights. When I drove home last night I was reminded of the crime, as my street was dark, which could lead to more crimes.

I do not support street racing, nor do I think it's wise to chase cars and the utmost judgement must be used while following a criminal. My hope was to get a partial plate to have something to go on and/or be close enough when connected to the police to have them drop a road block. Neither were possible. I shut it down when it was obvious I would have to drive very dangerously to make up the distance.

I'm very confidence had I been in my TL I would have been able to get close enough, fast enough to take a picture and have reduced the risk of injury to everyone. But unfortunately I'm still in this rental car. Which btw gets no better mpg then our TL's, check Toyota.com for the details. Shitty little Toyota...

I'm debating buying a road strip to drop down if I ever see this again. This would allow me to drive by and drop the strip blocking their exit until police arrive. Though with the untimely phone system I'm not sure how long that would be.

Any ideas? This is a huge problem in my area, bay area.

 

wat year camry is it? The newer ones are pretty fast unless it was a 4 banger. Sux u couldnt catch them though. Hope the lights get fixed

 

09 2.4 4cyl 160hp auto

 

Damn sucks you couldn't get em....Well as long as you're still in the Camry I hope they don't recognize ya.

That's sort of a problem with the vacant urban homes up here too. You gotta bar em up if noones living in em anymore. Thieves looking for that copper.

 

dam.... they should make a drool with a red face.....

anywho.. this sucks.. dam.

 

About the camry power, I think the engine is "powerless" when new or within the break-in period. It will get its peak performance at around 30K or more. I may be wrong but this is just my experience to my TL and my recent 07 Odyssey.
Too bad that you couldnt get their license plate, this will remember me about getting a better camera phone next time. Btw, I'm also using Jawbone

 

I just got a new phone with a decent camera, the att tilt. However as I was driving by them it looked like mechanical troubles it wasn't until I just passed them I knew what they were doing. Then I was too far away for this phone.

It might have more pick up once it's broken in, it just has no tq to launch the car. Oh well, they get another day free. One day I will catch them, one day they will get caught.

My area has a bunch of vigilantes that are on the look out. Time for some tint.

 

I'm just waiting for them to post up their "kill" story here on Acurazine about how they smoked a guy in a car chasing them in a Camry after they stole some copper. Too bad they didn't catch em..I love to hear stories of them getting electrocuted when they try to steal copper out of a street lamp thats on..lmfao! Losers!

 

not to bash you but why didnt you just mind you biz? suppose they had a gun and shot you? thats why we pay cops to chase the bad guys. you doing there job for free..

 

was it an lancer evo? or just a lancer??

 

its called :rasp ?

 

yeah- as much as I like to intervene, and my best story is using the TL to intercept a guy running from the cops-
I popped around the corner of the building- opposite direction- as he was about to reach the open field and freedom---SURPRISE DUDE! now there is a car between you and the corner of the building
my TL hi beams look blue when off- so that added to the effect
He then waves a knife at the car- as if that were going to cause me to suffer bodily injury and allow him to escape
And if he hurt my baby--- it would have been knees to the wall for him~

The first cop catches up and tazes him till the battery dies!
2nd cop tazes him some more!!!!
then the 3rd cop arrives by car and sticks the gun in his face...
it was pretty cool IMO!
I talked with the security guy at Target later, he had been on foot- said that was the best shoplifter chase they had ever had!!! The guy had threatened the manager with the knife in the store- the ran from the cops when they arrived, thats when I saw them all come out of the store in a line and moving fast-


But- on the street where BAD people carry guns and are not afraid to use them-
I am looking at a few options for dash mount video camera, I see it- I report it- I got it on tape!!!
May even get shown on the news someday!!!! when that fool electrocutes themself stealing wire-

Common sense story for your education and share with other
Yesterday a guy on a bicycle comes up to me while I'm sitting in the car- hey man can I use your phone? Ummm NO!
Like I want to fight you to hang up and stop using my minutes, and then have to chase you down the street to get my phone back...riiiight....like I dont read the crime reports in the paper~

Do not do any hi speed pursuits- get the plate info if you can, but the car is likely stolen and the cops know it- you have to be extra stupid to use your own car!!!
- so pics or descriptions of the persons is way better info for the cops
They already have mug shots and with computers can do digital recognition
Oh Jonny B is back!- and he has little lester and dimit dan on his crew again

 

Belongs in OT