[ba] UPDATE: MY "Stolen" car

[Shayne]

Hi Guys-

Thanx for the help/support!  A quick summary:

Went to records office and stolen vehicle department and was basically told
that the officers were rookies.  Also told that the towing company has a ton
of influence over the local constiblry.  I apprently the city is a HUGE cash
cow for some of these guys.  They lady in theft told me that $$$ is USAULLY
the motive to have a car with circumstances similar to mine towed.

I did call AOA and they verified what I thought about the VIN differing.
Tomorrow I am supposed to get a call from the VIN investigator to find out
if all is kosher.  I hope he is a reasonable man with 2 minutes in his day
to hear me out.

Frankly, I don't want to pursue this more then necessary.  I guess the car
is only about 15-20 blocks from my home, so if I can get it out without any
storage or or other charges (which should happen if the investigator
concludes the same thing we all already know), I will hook it up with a tow
rope and pull it home (lucky wife!!).  In theory, I will be out nothing more
then 4-5 hours of my non-existent time.

We will see if I am so lucky.

Oh, btw, I have a relative who is a CA Sheriff, and was told the code 10751
(a) they towed it under does not authorize them to tow the car unless
combined with another code.  Which, they could not or would not show to me
when I ask for proof of the code they were towing under (they did show me
10751, the altered or missing VIN code).






Thanx


Shayne P.


Oakland, CA.

Enough Audis to give plenty of headaches.

FOR SALE:  1988 BMW 528e $3700
PARTING:  1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 4.5

> Shayne writes:
>> 5 days ago, I pushed my 90tq project out on the street to make more room in
>> the garage.  One of my "kind" neighbors reported a car dumped.  Even though
>> I move the car every other day or so.  So as I leave to go to the gym last
>> night, the cops are there with a tow rig hooking up my car.  I tried my
>> hardest to get them to leave it.  But NO, they "claim" the car has undergone
>> a "chop" job and has two different VIN numbers.  EVERY Audi I have ever seen
>> as a different number under the hood then it does for a VIN.  These guys
>> were plain ass holes and basically told me to get out of the way or they
>> were going to arrest me and drag the car down the street.  I ask for him to
>> show proof of the fact that they can tow for a "mismatched" VIN numbers.  He
>> showed me a Cal. Veh. Code that basically says I can't "knowingly" purchase
>> a car that has altered VIN numbers.  NO WHERE in the code did it give them
>> the right to tow the car.  Anyway, now I am faced with bailing the car out
>> of "jail" and dealing with Oakland's finest.  So, to get to my point:  any
>> of you know where I can find proof that shows the "VIN" under the hood is
>> not a VIN at all???
>
> Man that really blows my fuse!  It's unbelievable.  I might start with
> getting a letter from Audi (maybe a local dealer would do) that says
> the "VIN number" under the hood with the ZZZ is ok as long as the rest
> of the digits match.  Then inquire with your local DMV and the police
> to see what recourse there is.
>
> Perhaps a call to a local TV or radio station is in order...
>
> -Ti