Vehicle Break-in On Ortega Hwy

[ECOdork]

Yesterday while parked at the San Juan Loop Trailhead across from the candy store my truck was broken into. We were on a short hike there and the truck was "alone" for < 30 minutes. The rear window was smashed in, a couple of bags were taken, wife's purse was taken, and contents of my glove compartment were taken (luckily I don't keep anything in there except instruction manuals--HA! Take that thieves!). Could tell it was a quick job as there was other stuff (more valueable than a bag with a water bottle in it) in the truck that wasn't taken. Clearly we didn't hide our stuff well enough, but we certainly didn't leave it splayed out for the world to see. I was parked right at the trailhead which is visible from the highway. I figure they saw my truck practically alone in the parking lot (or watched us walking off), looked in, saw a bag or two, and just went for it. Stole/Damaged enough stuff to be irritated, but not enough to warrant using our insurance deductible.

Definately a bummer, but in a lot of ways it could have been worse.

Beware of unruly thugs looking for "the quick score," especially over the holiday's when all types seem to be out.

...and if you see anyone walking around with my rasta colored Timbuktu bag, tackle'em for me!

[LBmtb]

Those bastards! Like you said though, it could have bene worse. Wasnt there a bunch of people on MTBR talking about some rowdy thugs at San Juan messing with people while they camped there?

[TURNERob]

That sucks Lance, sorry to hear about that I always try and keep anything "enticing" out of sight......but I guess when you are in an area like that with no other cars in the lot you are bound to have something like that happen when a crackhead runs out of money. Thanks for the heads up though.

[Jordansrealm]

These trailhead spots are becoming targets for thieves. Be careful where you park your car and what you leave it in. People are watching you and noticing that you leave the car unattended for hours on end. I try and leave nothing in my car when I go riding if possible. That, or I will park a distance from the traditional spots if possible near a busy shopping area and then ride to the meet. Sorry to hear about your theft, people really are shitty!

[Pain Freak]

I have friends that live up there and they tell me there is a criminal element that lives up there in a few of the trailers and some even live in tents and like someone else stated they are crackheads. Very little police presence up there at this time and the locals are having a lot of problems of their own. Damn shame when you can't just leave your car for a nice short hike.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

That sucks about the break in. Thieves have been hitting the trailhead spots for years. JPL and Turnbull had problems with break-ins a few years ago so riders were parking away from the trailhead near the houses. Best thing to do is not to leave anything valuable in plain view.

[ECOdork]

Thanks for all the support!

Yeah, we're thinking we were watched (maybe they were hanging out across the way at the candy store?) b/c my wife says she put her stuff under the seat. Since her semi-hidden purse was taken, I think the other bags were just lagniappe (a new orleans/cajun saying for "a little something extra").

We usually do a good job of obscuring valuables, but when you've got 4 people (and a dog) with stuff, we inevitably left a bag in semi-plain view. But we were in an empty parking lot after all. But heck, if such activity was planned then short of having nothing whatsoever in the car, they were going to bust in and take what they could.

Hey, at least my Calypso CD's were not taken!

[boboso]

Maybe I place a rattlesnake in the glove box next time I park there...