Ponte di Nona: thefts ongoing

On March 9th, 2024, in Via Ugo Giovanozzi, Mario discovered his car had been stolen, finding only shattered glass in the parking area. He immediately reported the incident, and after 10 days the police recovered the vehicle about 30 km away. Below is the interview.

journalist "How did you find out?"

Mario: “I found out early in the morning. I didn’t know the exact time because I was in a rush to go to work. When I got to the parking lot, the car was gone and there was only shattered glass left. I was a bit scared, but I tried to stay calm and keep my cool.”

Journalist: “What did you do after that?

Mario: “First of all, as I said earlier, I was scared, but then that fear turned into anger. So I went to the police station with my wife to report the incident. Finally, I called the insurance company to open a claim.”

Journalist: “Is there anyone who can testify?”

Mario: “There’s no one who can fully testify, but I spoke with my neighbour and found out that he heard the sound of breaking glass during the night, along with a car engine. He told me he thought it was a garbage truck, so he didn’t pay much attention to it.”

Journalist: “Did you report the theft?”

Mario: “Absolutely, yes. Filing the report was essential for the recovery of the car.”

Journalist: “Are there any security cameras that could help determine what happened?”

Mario: “Unfortunately, there are no cameras installed in our condominium. However, the police were able to retrieve footage from a bank located not far from my home.”

Journalist: “How do you think the theft happened?”

Mario: “I believe they broke the rear window to avoid triggering the car alarm, then opened the door. After that, they likely connected to the control unit through the OBD port—the one used by mechanics—to bypass the immobilizer and start the engine.”

Journalist: “How was the car eventually recovered?”

Mario: “The police managed to locate the car after 10 days in a parking lot about 30 kilometers from my home. It was a bit dirty, and part of the dashboard had been partially dismantled.”