Theft of my 2003 Sportsmobile

[HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE]

September 4 I was on my way home from Dutch John, Utah after catching a record 30.5 inch/15-pound Brown Trout. I was smiling all the way to Mesquite, NV. That is about halfway to Burbank, CA
I pulled into the Virgin River Casino and found a parking spot at the front door.
I went into the casino to rest and decide what I would do. 1) take a nap or 2) continue my drive home.
I walked out the front door and no Sportsmobile.......I was stunned. Was I at the wrong door.........I finally realized it was gone. I called Mesquite Police, and they sent an officer to meet with me. As he took all my info he asked if there were any distinguishing marks on the van. Yes, I said the doors are marked with Sportsmobile and 4X4 decals and the rear window has my Vietnam 1st Calvery Division patch, CIB and parachutist badge decals. That seemed to get his attention even more. The officer seemed truly concerned about my plight.
We talked at length, and he made several phone calls one of which was requesting a review if the cameras around the casino and he said they often can see the vehicle being driven away and which direction they went.
Needless to say, I was shocked and devastated by the theft.
At 10:30 I secured a room for the nigh. I was unable to sleep and at 12:30 I had a call for Mesquite PD, and they had found my van. I was connected to my case officer, and he asked where my gun was. He reported it was gone. They sent a car and took me to my van. They had used a screwdriver to enter and start the van. It was a mess; radio was gone and no electrical service to the dash. He asked if I wanted to try and start it with a screwdriver, but they had taken all my tools. So, he loaned me a flathead and BINGO it started. He asked what I wanted to do, and I said I am driving home.
A big shoutout to Mesquite NV Police Department and Officer Brent Horlacher
Tomorrow the van will begin the restoration process thanks to AAA SoCal.
HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE 2003 E350 SPORTSMOBILE 4X4 7.3 328,000

[1der]

Mike, so sad to read this. Glad they found it quickly and the damage is repairable. I know this is your baby.

Consider adding a Ravelco anti start device AND make a habit of always removing the "key" no matter where you park. We have that in each of the rigs we have had. When I get out of our rig, sometimes i am tempted to leave the Ravelco key in place, you know - "it is safe here"/only going to be a few minutes" - so I "future project" how I would feel if I left the key in and came out and our rig was gone because I did not take 2 seconds to remove the key. Makes me remove the key.

I believe they offer a Vet discount. Not cheap but they are very highly rated.

Congrats on the Brown Trout! Would love to see a pic of that! 30.5" is huge!

[bigriver]

You dodged a bullet there man and sounds like it may not have been your first. Congrats on the recovery... and the Brown!

[marret]

Sucks to hear, but glad you got it back. Wish you the best.

[Twoxentrix]

I’ll second 1der’s endorsement on the Ravelco! I even remove while it sits in the driveway.
Very fortunate they were able to locate it so quick, and that you actually managed to drive it home. Hope you’re able to prosecute the repairs in a timely manner.

[boywonder]

Glad to hear it was recovered so quickly.......assuming they got the garmin too.....


Any other damage other than the dashboard/key/door where they broke in?


Yes.....get a Revelco installed.....and use it 100% of the time. I have one and another theft deterrent unrelated to the Revelco. I use them both..even sitting in my driveway.

[vandiesel]

Thieves suck! I also have a ravelco. So sorry this happened to you.

[Lunatickn]

That sucks, man. As someone who has spent a non-trivial amount of time around Mesquite I appreciate the heads-up as well. I hope you are somehow able to be made whole.

[Big_ern_101]

Glad you got your rig back with minimal damage.

Regarding the Ravelco, I am not so sure. Reading up on it, all it does is interrupt two wires and provide a dummy ground. Anyone with a hair of 12V knowledge and a few cheap tools could bypass one in a minute or less. It would probably stop a kid or a tweaker, but not someone actively attempting to take your vehicle.

Don't believe me?
https://ravelco.fun/?en

For my $500 or so, a hidden kill switch or two and taking an ECU relay or fuel pump relay with you does just as much if not more since it is custom. Ravelco has the downside of being mass-manufactured, meaning the bypasses are well known and well documented.

[doublevan2]

YES - so glad you got the van back and am sure you can repair whats needed -- and now get that Ravelco - like I have and many others !