Stolen Laptop

Kerbob97

So while I was at lunch today, my Ford truck was broken into. (Turns out it is possibly one of the easiest vehicles on the face of the planet to break into.) They took my personal laptop, as well as my work laptop, as well as the bags for each. They left my $500 camera sitting on the backseat, but the covered bags, and the laptop under the seat, they take. Its a fleet vehicle, so I am not too worried about the repairs to the truck. However, I am frigging insanely angry about the data loss and the personal laptop loss. I have the serial numbers to both, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to track down the laptops. My personal is a gateway tablet, and the other is a dell.

Also just to really rub salt in the wounds, my fleet manager tells me that the policy does not cover personal items that are stolen. So to replace the tablet, software, (JUST got my copies of Vista Ultimate, and Office 07) and other items in the bag will cost me around $5,000.

So any advice would be greatly appreciated. (Already filed a police report)

Fristle

I think it's too late to track down the laptops, unless you had user accounts on there that were not password protected or anything, with apps or saved logins that the thief might inadvertently use (which would leave his IP with the server he contacted). Actually being able to locate someone via an IP is still nearly impossible unless you have a subpoena.

With some manufacturers (ok, Apple is the only one I have heard that does this), if your laptop is registered with them, you can notify them that it has been stolen. This will put it on a blacklist so that if it is ever sent in for repairs, the police will be notified and you will hopefully get it back.

If you have personal property insurance (i.e. renters insurance or homeowners insurance) you can file a claim. You will get the replacement cost of the stolen goods, minus your deductible.

And, don't feel too bad about leaving things in a Ford. Thieves can break into just about anything in minutes.

ViolentChemistry

Fristle wrote: »

I think it's too late to track down the laptops, unless you had user accounts on there that were not password protected or anything, with apps or saved logins that the thief might inadvertently use (which would leave his IP with the server he contacted). Actually being able to locate someone via an IP is still nearly impossible unless you have a subpoena.

With some manufacturers (ok, Apple is the only one I have heard that does this), if your laptop is registered with them, you can notify them that it has been stolen. This will put it on a blacklist so that if it is ever sent in for repairs, the police will be notified and you will hopefully get it back.

If you have personal property insurance (i.e. renters insurance or homeowners insurance) you can file a claim. You will get the replacement cost of the stolen goods, minus your deductible.

And, don't feel too bad about leaving things in a Ford. Thieves can break into just about anything in minutes.

Most thieves can break into nearly any car in seconds. They have this magical tool called a "brick". It smashes glass good.

Thanatos

So, was this like, on your lunch break at a shift, or just a lunch on a normal, non-work day?

I am shocked that some form of workers' compensation or vehicle insurance wouldn't cover that loss. Ask to see a copy of the policy.

Kerbob97

yes, a brick works quite well, but makes a lot of noise, and attracts attention. With a Ford Truck, they can pop the lock in and open the door in the time it takes most people to unlock the door with a key. This is without any sort of special "magic" tool. No alarm, no noise, it literally looks and sounds like they are unlocking the door. And Ford knows this is a huge problem, but are quite content to collect $200 every time the lock is damaged.

I am thinking of changing out the plastic door handle to metal, or simply lining it with a strip of metal. Then hooking the door up to a Car battery with a switch so that if the door is locked and someone tries to open it they get a nice little shock.

@Than - A Pappasito's in Houston - biz lunch. I am seriously ready to give up on that place. The last time I ate at one, they had a huge Hepatitis scare, and now the next damn time I eat there, I get several thousand dollars worth of PC equipment stolen, as well as thousands of hours worth of research.

ViolentChemistry

Kerbob97 wrote: »

I am thinking of changing out the plastic door handle to metal, or simply lining it with a strip of metal. Then hooking the door up to a Car battery with a switch so that if the door is locked and someone tries to open it they get a nice little shock.

Felony.

Kerbob97

eh, maybe a few 9 volt batteries then.

Thanatos

Kerbob97 wrote: »

@Than - A Pappasito's in Houston - biz lunch. I am seriously ready to give up on that place. The last time I ate at one, they had a huge Hepatitis scare, and now the next damn time I eat there, I get several thousand dollars worth of PC equipment stolen, as well as thousands of hours worth of research.

Business lunch? Were you on the clock? What sort of work do you do?

If you are an employee, you may be covered for your loss by workers' compensation. You shouldn't give up on being compensated so easily.

Blake T

I'm really suprised your work doesn't cover the car for any loss.

I know home insurance can cover you car, even if it's unlocked as it has happened to my father.

Go check out the policy.

Kerbob97

ok, so I am SOL on the company helping me out, turns out I have to file on my homeowner's insurance.

I will probably get around $2k for the tablet. Now I need advice on what to replace it with. Last time
it was a Gateway tablet pretty loaded (Core Duo, 2GB Ram, 160 GB HD) but the functionality was crap. I still like the idea of a tablet, and supposedly Vista Ultimate does a much better job with tablet function. I am thinking about a Motion PC, does anyone else have any suggestions?

embrik

The police should probably have told you this, but start calling pawn shops in the area. Tell them what was taken, give them the serial numbers, and ask them to keep an eye out. They're used to fielding these kinds of issues. Some may even ask for your police case number.