Break ins

[XR6_661]

Ok…

So…2 weeks ago today my $5,000+ mountain bike was stolen from the unit complex I live in…

The bike was locked up in what is advertised as a, ‘A basement car park and coded gate access ensure privacy and security and for the leisurely minded.’

That is a quote taken from the ad for a unit in my complex. Basically, unless you have a gate remote and/or key you cannot access the underground carpark. So pretty much, someone has found a way to get access, cut a lock, etc.

Now, reported it with the police and they were great, bike was recovered within 24 hours. Told the on-site managers/caretakers…they didn’t seem to care…Also taking into mind my roommates bike was also stolen the same night.

Ok…Now, last night in the same, ‘basement car park and coded gate access that ensures privacy and security for the leisurely minded’ my XR6 was broken into...Nothing obvious stolen or damaged…But I was running late for work so didn’t have a thorough look. Stuff was strew all through the car, glove box had been pried open and is now broken….Lucky I don’t keep anything of value in the car.

Going in at 10 to report it with the police. Spoke with the on-site managers/caretakers again (Who are obviously employed by the rental agency or something) who basically said there is nothing they can do….Pretty much I fired right up and said it was crap and it shouldn’t happen, blah blah second time in 2 weeks. And yeah…’sorry not much we can do.’

I’m going to go in and see the actual rental agency today and fire up a bit. Not that it’ll get me anywhere.

What else can do? Pay $300 a week bloody rent you’d think it’d come with some piece of mind that this sort of thing won’t happen…I’m ignorant to anything legal, but if they claim it’s a secure basement carpark, security coded, etc…where it clearly is not…can something be done there?

The managers even told me it’s an unsecure carpark and they’ve had problems in the past with break ins…apparently the offenders just wait until someone opens the gate at night when coming home at night and just waltz in…at least that’s how they have in the past. Only other way in is if you jump the front fence, but you’d have to navigate your way through a labyrinth of carparks to get to my gear.

I’m apocalyptic with rage.

[Dave_Obsession]

That's shocking......I hate it when people play the 'nothing I can do' card...

As far as your rant to the rental agency.....it will make you feel better! At least you've stood up for yourself and made some noise about a situation you're not happy with. Things won't change by themselves, it requires people like yourself to take action!!!

Is there any sort of insurance with regards to that carpark??? As it is advertised as a 'secure' carpark??

[Fev]

Thank hell you got the bike back. does it have that radar tracking stuff? I'd be hiding something worth that much in my closet lol

have you made the super strong bike chain investment yet?

[XR6_661]

I've made a keep it in the unit right outside my bedroom door investment.

Nah no radar tracking, they just stole the only one of it's kind in Cairns. Plus I had the serial number of it and it was engraved with my details.

Reported it with the police...they are going to investigate it. Had the same case officer who came out and did a report on the bike...good fella. Seemed pretty concerned about me being hit twice in the past 2 weeks...

As for insurance as it's advertised as a secure carpark...not sure. But the car isn't damaged from what I can tell....so not much I can claim on really...

[burnz]

does the building log who accesses the car park??
as it maybe another tennant.

[Tom_Jane]

Originally Posted by burnz

does the building log who accesses the car park??
as it maybe another tennant.

I have been in a similar situation. Secure parking lot. Damage to car.
The other tenants were the first people I suspected.

[05MkIIFutura]

Biggest weakness in these complexes are:

Main Garage door: unless the person entering/exiting the complex stops to see if anyone sneaks through, its free passage every 2 minutes into these places once someone comes or goes

Old tenants, or tenants in similar complex: I know that I can open the main garage door with my buzzer for other buildings in my development.

I always stop just on the other side of teh main roller door if a car ever tries to follow me through that was waiting there when I arrived. probably some poor ba%^ard who forgot his pass and just wants to get home, but too bad in my opinion!!

[YoungFordFreak]

What you need is a thermus full of coffee and the 000 on speed dial. Catch the b@$tards in the act.

[IngoStang]

Back when my bro was living in a unit he had quite a few things stolen. He lived in a block with the same security measures as yours. Long story short the offenders were actually using a remote they stole out of someones car. Might wanna speak to the relative people and get the code on the remotes changed if you haven't already

[silicon]

How was the bike recovered?

[TURBOTAXI]

lobby the body corporate for a CCTV system

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by TJA77

Back when my bro was living in a unit he had quite a few things stolen. He lived in a block with the same security measures as yours. Long story short the offenders were actually using a remote they stole out of someones car. Might wanna speak to the relative people and get the code on the remotes changed if you haven't already

That's how my Grandmother's apartment block was accessed too. Then there are the ones who walk out the door to check mail or take garbage out, and leave it ajar so they don't need to fiddle with a key to get back in.

[GUTLES]

Originally Posted by TURBOTAXI

lobby the body corporate for a CCTV system

Unfortunally won't help much.

A work mate had his ute stolen from our work yard. A locked secure yard & it was undercover with a heap of machinery in front of it. It even had a flat Battery. We even have CCTV footage of them taking it & its not helping it at all.

It was found on day 10 of it being missing (the day where they we're happy to pay it out) until it was found at 10pm that night burnt out missing the Engine.

RACV have sent out a private investigator & his had to prove his innocent, he has to get the Police Report, a Receipt of when he brought it 6 years earlier, Bank Statements, Credit Card Statements, a fullly itemised Phone account for all his phones, its crazy.

[merlin]

Looks like its time to move out

[Springfield_Johny]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Ok…

So…2 weeks ago today my $5,000+ mountain bike was stolen from the unit complex I live in…

The bike was locked up in what is advertised as a, ‘A basement car park and coded gate access ensure privacy and security and for the leisurely minded.’

That is a quote taken from the ad for a unit in my complex. Basically, unless you have a gate remote and/or key you cannot access the underground carpark. So pretty much, someone has found a way to get access, cut a lock, etc.


I’m apocalyptic with rage.

Firstly I'm sorry to hear about the incident.

OK so according to their own add its a secure parking arrangment. Perhaps they have breached the conditions of the lease as it is no longer a secure parking arrangement? Found this form on the RTA website "Notice to remedy breach"
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/form_11.cfm

You should complete it and submit it to your lessor/landlord, keeping a copy for yourself. I'm not sure if you can also lodge the breach with the RTA.
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/index.cfm

You also might like to speak to TASQ (Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services (Qld)) regarding the issue. The contact details for Cairns and surrounds is 4031 6733
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/contacts_for_tenants_.cfm


Perhaps armed with this information and letting your lessor/landlord know the action you intend to take with the above authorities may have an impact on their care factor regarding the situation.

John

[xpvanman]

If the thieving scum want something bad enough, It's pretty hard to stop them.

Last month i had my double garage broken into (It has one roller door at the front) - I make a habit of parking my Landcruiser hard up against the door to try and block a break in attempt, But it didn't stop these guys! They broke into the cruiser & moved it back from the door, Picked the 2 locks on the roller door & stole my Honda CR250 + 3 Stihl chainsaws, various tools + all my bike riding gear. :

The thing is, The CR was chained to the wall in front of the 2 cars that are stored in the garage + it had a disc lock on the front wheel & another chain through the rear wheel & frame. They cut the one off the wall and PHYSICALLY CARRIED a 120KG bike over the 2 cars, down the road to where the bike was found dumped - minus the other locks. They couldn't get it started - stale fuel saved the day.

[Stefan]

Not a good situation but I'm not sure what can be done. Just because you pay 300 bucks a week rent (IMO which sounds cheap, but I live in Sydney) doesn't protect you from scum bags.

As a landlord myself what could I do in this situation. Yes I can upgrade the security add CCTV, monitored alarm etc etc. but would you cop the extra 50 to 100 buck a week in rent to cover the increase in body corporate costs to pay for security.

Only real option you have is find a better area or better complex and pay more. Or complain to the police or politicians about crime in your area...

[FrogInASock]

I lived in Cairns for 4 years when I worked for a Government organisation which deals with big grey ships, so I am a bit familiar with the area. If I amy ask, what area in Cairns?

When working for said organisation in Sydney, I lived in a new complex in Strathfield. Under building parking, secure doors, all the stuff. Damn shame that the forced door wasn't fixed for over a month after the break in was reported. In that month, two bikes were stolen (never found again) and we all threatened to withold rent until it was fixed.

[XR6_661]

Area is Parramatta Park...Fairly bad suburb, but the complex...at the time, seemed find and secure. (Been in it 6 months).

I had a brief look around at new places last night on the net...Plenty around...But I'm in the financial postion now where it's more viable for me to buy a property. I'd just have to have someone else living there and paying rent as I paying off a morgage single handedly would be tight to say the least.

Umm to answer a question before, the bike was recovered by the police dumped in a park no more than 2km away from my place. Police still won't allow me to pick the bike up though...it's been 2 weeks...but that's a different story.

I had a stake out last night early hours and didn't see anything. But chances of getting them in the act is slim...even then, what could I do?

It's safe to say I'll definatly be moving when the lease is up in december...Much to the disgust of my roommate, but he'll live with it.

Oh and I had a good look at the car last night...no signs of any damage to the car...only thing stolen was a brand new camelbak. None-the-less, I took EVERYTHING out of the car and left a nice little note in the console if they decide to come back.

[GasoLane]

Sooo, you paid 5 grand for a bike then leave it unchained in a carpark with all the other 'honest' tenants that park there? :

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Sooo, you paid 5 grand for a bike then leave it unchained in a carpark with all the other 'honest' tenants that park there? :

The OP said it was locked up.

[Streets]

Originally Posted by YoungFordFreak

What you need is a thermus full of coffee and the 000 on speed dial. Catch the b@$tards in the act.

You would have to be a pretty slow sort of person to need 000 on speed dial.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by pauljh74

The OP said it was locked up.

'Locked up' yes. But just sitting in a locked up car park, or 'locked up' with a chain in the carpark?

[Pinch]

This is a HUGE issue in our area with so called 'secure' unit basement carparks/garages. They are anything but. I now live in a villa type unit with 'unsecure' street level garages and have never had a problem...

I lost my then new Diamond Back Dual Response (ducks guts at the time). Never saw it again. My mate saw it once and chased the person on it but they got away.

The problem with ‘secure’ underground carparks (with or without) internal garages is they are anything but.

Cheap skate developers use cheap, non-rolling code remotes for the gate. You grab a code recorder/repeater from basically anywhere for a few bucks, sit in a bush or a car nearby when someone comes home, press record, then come back early the next morning. They get in no drama, then away from all view they go nuts with no one to see.

I will never live in one of these complexes again. They even cut two padlocks on each bottom corner of my metal garage to get stuff out of it once they were in the basement.

My mate who used to live in one replaced so many power windown he just left the windows down and a few coins and ciggies in the console. Every couple of nights they would be gone, but he didn’t have to keep replacing his power windows like everyone else.

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

'Locked up' yes. But just sitting in a locked up car park, or 'locked up' with a chain in the carpark?

Locked up with a chain in a locked storage cage.

I'm not dumb enough to leave a $5,000 mountain bike unsecured!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Locked up with a chain in a locked storage cage.

I'm not dumb enough to leave a $5,000 mountain bike unsecured!

Maybe its time to take it inside mate if you can.
I dont live in a place like that but stayed at Gold Coast on the w/e and it had a similar set up secure park. Only thing it didnt use a remote to open the door it was a key. I went out last night came home and someone pulled in before me, i just drove straight in after them. No one even asked if i was staying there.

[XR6_661]

The bike now has a cosy spot outside my bedroom door!

[DJM83]

Good idea mate.

When i had my bike was only worth about 2.5k though it lived inside

[Neeek]

Sorry to hear about the theiving. As you no doubt know, complaints will fall on deaf ears, sadly.

Similar thing happend to my wife when she was living in a serviced apartment complex in Melbourne a few years ago. "Secure" car park, much like the one you've described. She left her Giant in there, chained up with the best lock we had and it went walkies. After a bit rant to the staff at the complex, they said "sorry - your bike, your loss". Nice.

On the one hand, you've been very unlucky in that you've been targeted twice. However, you did get your bike back (or will, when you're allowed to). I've had about 5 or 6 bicycles stolen in my time, each worth a fair bit of money and totally unique - never saw any of them ever again. What sort of bike is it?

As an aside, may I recommend you the best bloody bike lock in the known universe?

http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?Scree...=4003318286285

I have a slightly older version of this one, and it's brilliant. You can't cut them open with grinders/saws or anything as the barrell rotates inside, so all it'll do is make pretty holes in the outer rubber sheath and spin the insides around. I once came back to find some little oik trying to steal my Roberts by hacking at the lock with a hacksaw blade... watched him for a good minute from around the corner before I wandered over and asked him WTF he was doing... he marked the outside of the lock, no other damage.

I'm reliably informed that the only way to get them undone is to get some bolt croppers that can bite through an inch of steel... not many people carry them about!

And based on the battle scars my lock has, that's not the only time it's saved a stupidly expensive bike of mine from being stolen.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

I'm not dumb enough to leave a $5,000 mountain bike unsecured!

Well, you are from Cairns

But seriously if anyone went to that much trouble to get it they must have known where it was and planned how to get it. I'd be looking at the tenant list.