It could happen to you!

[jdkatz]

So yesterday I'm mowing my Church grounds, its my last cut of the day and there are lots of people out and about. I leave my keys in the ignition, like I normally do and the unthinkable happened, yep someone stole my truck and lawn trailer. So the tip of the day is keep your keys with you. I was pretty dumb. The saddest part is my gen lib ins. don't cover theft and I owe 2 more yrs on the equip. Its my only job and my wife don't work. I just started in the biz and am now soooooo crushed. As I am at a loss if anyone knows anything about a theft in Jacksonille FL please email me dankatz32@yahoo.com

[DBL]

that is so aweful but there are people out there like that but man i really feel for you. and at a church of all places

[jdkatz]

Thanks, it does stink, the officer said when they catch the offender he will also be charged with a hate crime because the theft occured on church grounds along with grand theft, my clients are pretty understanding but I have about a week before I will have to restart as a part time gig out of my wifes car with a push mower and line trimmer.

[Jpocket]

Thanks, it does stink, the officer said when they catch the offender he will also be charged with a hate crime because the theft occured on church grounds along with grand theft, my clients are pretty understanding but I have about a week before I will have to restart as a part time gig out of my wifes car with a push mower and line trimmer.


God man my heart goes out to you...really i can't even begin to imagine.

[JJLandscapes]

that sucks but if you called the cops asap could they not spot your truck and trailer easily if they make a half ass effort? there is so fast a truck and trailer can go and so many places to hide one easily

reason number 5000 why i would never take a loan out for a business but i guess some people dont have that much cash

[Brianslawn]

ya cant trust them southern church people! lol!

why dont your ins cover theft? everyone elses does.

[Luvs2Play]

Does your finance company not require full coverage on a vehicle with a loan? You should be covered. Even if you are, your privacy has been invaded. Good luck, that is a terribly empty and helpless feeling.

[HOOLIE]

reason number 5000 why i would never take a loan out for a business but i guess some people dont have that much cash

So you're saying if you paid cash for everything it's somehow better when it's stolen??? :confused: If you have a loan or credit line...you could go replace the stuff the same day. If you're one of those cash-only, "I don't need no stinkin' credit" types then better hope you got some more cash handy :laugh:

[jdkatz]

well It took the police almost 30 minutes to get there.I live in a big city also so there are lots of places to go, my insurance is general liability,covers my screw ups but not theft. My truck was paid for, just an old 79 silverado, I'm just starting and didn't figure some disrespectfull person would do this. Someone I go to church with did see my truck about 20 minutes after it went missing, so i have a general area, I'm gonna check out getting a hitch for my car an a small lite weight trailer. A friend of mine gave me an old lawn tractor mower, I also traded an air compressor for a stihl hedge trimmer, just gotta come up with an edger, I have access to a blower, so hopefully I'll be back on my feet in a couple of days

[cwlawley]

Good luck with everything. That sucks. I was just robbed to, not my truck, my business checking accounts.

[Lynden-Jeff]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I plan to make sure everything is locked and possibly boot the trailer along with locking it to my truck. Around here people try and unhook your trailer and just steal that and worry about unlocking the stuff later. A boot would definatly slow them down.

Cheers
Jeff

[jdkatz]

Well I got my pick up back this morning, he dumped it in the area my friend from church saw him in. He even left my rakes and machetes. The police dusted it for prints but found none he could use. my neighbor heard about the theft and gave me an 18" craftsman chainsaw. Alot of folks have helped me out. I was even offered a job renovating someones yard so I'll go and check out that. it seems I'll land on my feet afterall. I just hope that my stuff will turn up, atleast my mower and trailer. Since my truck was found local there is a good chance my gear is still too. Just remember to keep your keys out of the ignition when you get out of your truck, even just for a minute.

[newz7151]

Well I got my pick up back this morning, he dumped it in the area my friend from church saw him in. He even left my rakes and machetes. The police dusted it for prints but found none he could use. my neighbor heard about the theft and gave me an 18" craftsman chainsaw. Alot of folks have helped me out. I was even offered a job renovating someones yard so I'll go and check out that. it seems I'll land on my feet afterall. I just hope that my stuff will turn up, atleast my mower and trailer. Since my truck was found local there is a good chance my gear is still too. Just remember to keep your keys out of the ignition when you get out of your truck, even just for a minute.

Might help if you post what your equipment was, and any serial numbers or other identifying marks from it.

[jdkatz]

The mower is a 32" Exmark metro WB s/n 620148 with jungle wheel sulky.
Shindaiwa Edger s/n 5065880
Kawasaki Mini Backpack blower s/n KRB-TJ27D-AY75
Shindaiwa Homepro hedgetrimmer 22" s/n 5051001
The trailer was custom built but its still your basic 5x10 open trailer, black with white tires It has a 3 high trimmer rack, a blower rack, and 2x6 plank floor.
vin 1A9BU101X5J655440. I also had a Poulon chainsaw 22" and a pole saw but never recorded the serial numbers. Another mistake I'll never make again. So try to remember this post if you all get a good deal on some lightly used equipment.

[newz7151]

Man Dan,

That sux.. you just bought the mower in Febuary and it's already stolen... Might want to call or email your dealer and see if they can go in and change the reg. to "stolen unit" so that if another dealer enters it into eXmark for any reason it'll raise a flag.


Also, it looks like your dealer also registered your Shindaiwa units correctly, so at least somebody can't just say they bought them since they are registered in your name.


Good luck finding the stuff.. just check the pawn shops too.

[Charles]

I have never left my keys in my truck. I always keep the doors locked and the windows shut no matter where I leave it. Better safe than sorry--don't make it easy for the thief.

[AintNoFun]

im puzzled by this quote too.. can u explain it please mr. gates?



reason number 5000 why i would never take a loan out for a business but i guess some people dont have that much cash

[SWD]

Well, I leave my keys in the ignition and truck running all of the time -
However, I have a large dog that accompanies literally everywhere all of the time.
It also doesn't hurt that I have Beware of The Dog signs on my truck.
Now, my crew members lock up the other trucks just so this doesn't happen.
And Yes, my Dog has protected my truck, and upon occasion the trailer attached to the truck.

[jdkatz]

Its wierd, when I got my truck back the mower keys were still in my consol. I wonder if the already have an exmark or if the just were in a hurry and didn't get my keys???

[jdkatz]

Thanks Newz, I'll call and let them know.

[newz7151]

Its wierd, when I got my truck back the mower keys were still in my consol. I wonder if the already have an exmark or if the just were in a hurry and didn't get my keys???


All the same little cheap key anyway.