Thursday morning started like any other day. Our neighbors were driving carpool, and it was a cold, cloudy day so I spent most of the day indoors. I made challah while Rachamim napped and was feeling pretty good about being productive.
I was upstairs changing a diaper when Yaakov calls up and asked if I had moved our minivan. I said, “No…” I came downstairs and we looked outside and it was no where to be seen.
Backstory: We have a device in our minivan through insurance that tracks all kinds of information. Randomly, Yaakov decided to check the website and noticed that the van had a lot of miles that day which seemed odd because we didn’t go anywhere. Then, he used the map to see where the car is and noticed it parked on the South side of Chicago, at least 30 minutes away from our house.
Feeling my feelings
My reaction: “No… No. No!? No!!!! No….” I was in complete shock. Our minivan? Stolen!? Rachamim’s baby blanket was in there!
Even with all the data we had from the insurance device, the police didn’t seem confident that they would find it. The next few days were filled with a lot of ups and downs. Gratitude that we were all safe and have a second car. Annoyance with all the paperwork to deal with (Thank you, Yaakov!) And worst, this violating feeling of having our minivan stolen and crime happening literally right outside my house in the middle of the night triggering my anxiety.
My neighbors were really the only people I told about it and they were so supportive. Many of them offered to let us use their cars whenever we needed which was beyond sweet. One neighbor called me and empathized with me saying how she was broken hearted that criminals could see a car filled with carseats and baby things and steal it. It meant so much to me that she took the time to call and connect with what I was experiencing.
Then came the acceptance. The police said it was unlikely that it would be recovered, even with all the data we had for the van. At the point, I was a little relieved because I imagined the car would be a wreck and wasn’t sure if I even wanted it back after everything it had been through.
That Shabbos was Parshas Noach (all about robbery leading to the destruction of the world…) and Yaakov made a suggestion that we all not talk about the van getting stolen just for 24 hours. It was hard, and there were a few slip ups, but it definitely did feel like a much-needed break.
We are in good hands
As soon as Shabbos was over, Yaakov checked the Allstate website with our insurance device data. He saw that the car was parked that morning less than 15 minutes away. After I freaked out and he calmed me down, he decided to drive over and just see if it was still there. I didn’t get my hopes up and figured these criminals just threw out the insurance device.
About 15 minutes later I got a text that said, “it’s here.” Yaakov called the police, took some pictures and waited (and waited) for a tow truck. The van’s condition was better than we expected. The back window was broken, the ignition completely ripped out, and the side was scratched up.
Oddly, they took out the carseats and boosters but instead of throwing them away, they just left it in the trunk along with some jackets. Most important, Rachamim’s baby blanket was still there! We took it to the shop to repair the broken window, cracks and to get a new ignition. We waited. And waited. And waited.
Our van was stolen at the end of October and only at the end of December was it finally ready. Because the thieves took out the ignition (which is a common robbery for Kias these days) the part was back ordered and took forever to arrive.
On a rainy, cold Wednesday we went to pick up our van only to find out that we suddenly needed new brakes. Will we ever get this van back? Do I even want it back? Will it have been cleaned enough from the disgustingness of crime?!
Drive-aways
I wanted to play detective and deduce why our van had been stolen. When Yaakov picked it up, he said there was a health insurance card and the number for the secretary of state which leads me to believe that they sold it to someone willing to buy a clearly stolen car.
Overall, I’m grateful that we have our van back. I’ve been researching car thefts in the Chicago area and have heard stories of families whose car was stolen and not only was it an inconvenience, but it really impacted their lives. One story I read was about a woman who had to make a choice between paying for rent or a rental car.
I felt so angry that this happened to us and that anger turned to heartbreak for people that this happens to who don’t have the means we are blessed to have. I’m still disappointed that because it’s not a violent crime there is little the police can do to prevent this from happening. I joked to Yaakov that I wanted to leave a note cursing anyone who tries to steal our van again.
But that’s not what we do or how we respond to hard situations (even if it feels tempting to unleash some of that anger!) And now I also know not to keep anything sentimental in our cars.
Susan and David Leader says
We are so saddened to learn that you and your family had to go through this kind of thing. Our relief that the van and most of the important things were recovered and that no-one was hurt in the process. Please stay safe!
Love from us!
Susan and David Leader says
We are so saddened to learn that you and your family had to go through this kind of thing. Our relief that the van and most of the important things were recovered and that no-one was hurt in the process. Please stay safe!
Love from us!
Adina Mayer says
Such a crazy experience and couldn’t agree more! Thank G-d we are all safe and one day soon we’ll even have the van back. 🙂 Sending lots of love right back!