The Story of My Stolen Honda

I left you hanging. Sorry about that.

Thanks to all my Facebook and Twitter friends who tweeted or shared the call for help recovering my vehicle over 5,000 times.  That was so awesome.

So here’s how it happened.  Remember when I tweeted that my honda was stolen around two months ago?  Well the car was recovered and all is well in the world.  However, the story behind its disappearance are still irking me.  Here’s how it happened, all nice and bulleted.

My 1998 Honda Accord was parked at our condo.  The car was parked legally in a parking spot paid for by our association dues.

  • I went to Chase‘s softball game with a bunch of friends one night and came home to an empty parking spot, where my car used to be parked.
  • I called a few tow truck companies, none had the car (including Tiger Towing).
  • I called the police and asked if my car had been towed. They say no and send over an officer.
  • I open the door to a very nice officer who states “If your car was parked there and it isn’t anymore, it was stolen. For a car to be towed I would have to authorize it and I have not authorized any tows in this area. I’m sorry to say but your car has been stolen.”
  • I filled out the stolen vehicle report.
  • I called my insurance and filed a claim, they offered me a rental while recovery was attempted.
  • I waited several days.
  • I got a voicemail from State Farm saying at this point they see the car as gone for good, began to setup a payout on the value.
  • I received a phone call from the Columbia Police Department.
  • I am accused of falsely reporting a car as stolen! Officer on the phone says the car was stolen towed a week ago from my property by Tiger Towing (who denied a week ago that they had towed my car)
  • I call Tiger Towing, “Oh yeah, we have your car. We’ve had it for about a week.”
  • I am informed that the car was towed for being “illegally parked on private property.” Property that we own, parked 100% legally.
  • I pay the towing fee.
  • I pay the storage fee.
  • I am given a $15 ticket from the City for parking illegally. WTF?! WTF?! WTF?! WTF?!
  • I pay Custom Complete Auto to fix my car back up to where it was before the tow.
  • I send the car away to Texas. It has been too bad of luck for me.

In the matter of a few years that car has been stolen twice, broken into twice, vandalized three times, had three transmissions (two were defective) replaced… I loved that car but it had the absolute worst luck.  For me.

When my parents came into town for my graduation, they kindly took the car back to Texas to sit in our garage. Whenever my parents visit America they will use it instead of a rental car.  Here’s to hoping the bad luck I’m cursed with doesn’t continue to plague that car.

So there you go. The story of my stolen Honda.

(alleged) Racist MU Students Suspended

Letter from University of Missouri Chancellor, Brady J. Deaton.

To the MU Community:

Related to the Feb. 26 incident where cotton balls were scattered at the Black Culture Center, the MU Police Department has arrested two individuals. My statement to the media that I am releasing is as follows:

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Based on the information available to me, and in accordance with the University of Missouri’s Student Conduct Code (as outlined in the Collected Rules and Regulations, Chapter 200), I have determined it is in the best interest of the university community to temporarily suspend those students, Sean D. Fitzgerald and Zachery E. Tucker, who have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident that occurred on Feb. 26 at the front entrance of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, pending the outcome of the formal student conduct process. The Boone County Prosecutor will make a determination related to any criminal prosecution.

I commend MUPD Chief Jack Watring and his officers for their rapid and effective response during this difficult time. I also wish to thank the Legion of Black Collegians for the leadership they have demonstrated and to all those who attended and spoke out at LBC’s town hall meeting. My colleagues and I in the MU administration have listened carefully to all that was expressed and join all of you as we work together in support of our Mizzou family.

Brady J. Deaton

Chancellor

A quick search on Facebook didn’t find Sean or Zach’s Facebook profiles.  Not sure why that matters, maybe I feel I want to leave a nice post on their wall congratulating them on their new freedom from an education and on their new digs in jail, though I’m sure they’ve been bailed out by now.

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Look Ma, No Wheels!


DSC_7703

Originally uploaded by justex07

So, I get a call at 3:30 Wednesday morning from the University Police. Officer Rod Stewart (I kid you not) is on the phone.

“Is this Justin Scott?”
Yes it is.
“Do you own a 1998 Silver Honda Accord?”
Yes I do.
“You need to come down to the Hitt Street Parking Garage, it appears someone has stolen all of your wheels.”
Ugh, vandalized again? I’ll be right down.

My friend Scott, who was crashing on my couch, went down with me to investigate the damage.

They took my tires, my rims and in turn bent my rotors. It’s a big hot mess and the sixth time it has happened since I have moved back to Columbia. At this point I think nothing can surprise me. My car will get the windows knocked out, my doors will be knocked in my basketballs, my door handles will be ripped off, my stuff will get stolen out of it, my bike will be stolen from my apartment, my clothes will be destroyed by deviants in the laundry room, my transmission will go out and so will the brand new one two days into its life.

These are just things I accept now. It’s ok, shit is going to happen and it is going to happen to me, but it no longer gets me down. It is more of something that has become a comical nuance to my life.

I am Justin and I am perpetually screwed.