Vandalism to my car

[vermonster]

I started noticing key marks etched into the paint at the rear of my Chrysler minivan, beginning over two months ago. Periodically I would notice new scratches etched into the paint and the chrome. I am not sure, but I think this may be occurring while parked at venues like Saddle Brook, Rio Grande, and/or shopping areas along 441. I do not know who is perpetrating these acts of vandalism or why.

I have contacted police in Sumter and Lake Counties, but they have not been able to be of much help. I am trying to track down the perpetrator(s) and venue(s) where this is occurring by being more vigilant, but it is difficult.

As far as I know, I have not done anything to create an enemy here in The Villages. I am an excellent and courteous driver, and I obey the traffic laws. Does anyone know why this may be happening? Has anyone seen something or someone suspicious in the parking lots? Please help. I feel helpless while the paint job on my new car is being slowly destroyed for no reason.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Could you possibly be backing into bushes with your mini van in parking lots? Some of the bushes are very unforgiving. It seems very odd that this keeps happening to you.

[Grandfinch]

If in fact, it is man made scratches I would ask if you have any window or bumper stickers that some might find offensive.

[RickeyD]

If in fact, it is man made scratches I would ask if you have any window or bumper stickers that some might find offensive.


My bumper sticker reads " I hate everyone ", no scratches yet.

[villagetinker]

If you really want to find out what is going on get a dashcam, and point it to the back of the van, as long as your windows are not real dark, you should get a picture of the vandal. Also, did you contact the merchant to see if they have security cameras?

[sunnyatlast]

Check your garage door overhead and when you have the minivan tailgate open and up. The tailgate could be touching the garage door open overhead or sometimes there are thin cable ends exposes/dangling.

[Bonny]

Na, not saying anything. :popcorn:

[Walt.]

This doesn't really make any sense. I'm thinking it's something other than vandalism. A normal person wouldn't do this over and over and running the risk of being caught. If they really dislike you enough to damage your car they'd probably just run a long deep scratch along the trunk top or side or something... not a bunch of little marks along the back. But... then again... you can never figure out some people.

[rubicon]

It appears to happen everywhere you park. Are you alone when you visit these places? If not perhaps its the passenger you are carrying? As an example I saw a commercial where a wife took a sledgehammer to the wrong car that was parked at a golf course and as she was swinging that hammer her husband drove up in an identical car. so perhaps that's another explanation:D

[Sandtrap328]

Sounds like scraping some of these hedges to me.

[2BNTV]

If it keeps happening, I suspect your backing into something like bushes.

Crime rate is too low to keep happening over and over again, unless someone has it in for you.

I would check your car when you are finished parking, each time.

[CFrance]

My bumper sticker reads " I hate everyone ", no scratches yet.
In your case, watch out for bowling balls being dropped from 30 feet.:22yikes:

[kcrazorbackfan]

Wow! First, there is a person having one freaking cookie taken from his/her stash and now there is a person getting his/her car keyed everywhere he/she goes - is there a :censored: full moon every day in TV?

[shanson99]

We contacted our insurance company after discovering deep scratches all in the same basic area of car. The adjuster said it was from the heat of the sun. We repainted. No new scratches.

[Walt.]

Wow! First, there is a person having one freaking cookie taken from his/her stash and now there is a person getting his/her car keyed everywhere he/she goes - is there a :censored: full moon every day in TV?

So... you think that the cookie thief is vandalizing this guy's car? Probably the same jerk who tied off all those seats! Oh the humanity!!

[tomwed]

Skyking and Penny would know what to do.
[this message was brought to you by Nabisco Fig Newton's]

[vermonster]

Thank all of you for your ideas. All these thoughts have run through my mind at one time or another, and I have taken pains to make sure scratches from hedges, garage doors, etc. are not the cause. I do not have any stickers anywhere on my vehicle, and I even removed the dealer name and address in case that was what was offensive to the immoral person(s) who is perpetrating the criminal mischief.

My only thought is that it may be connected to my dog. When I walked into a dealership, I stated I am buying a vehicle for me and my dog. I have always been a dog owner, and take my dogs with me to walk with them in favorite areas and to expose them to many environments, people, etc. So I bought much more vehicle than I would have otherwise done, full sunroof, excellent ventilation, easy to enter, flat floor, etc.

Weather permitting, he comes with me when I attend events, and I park in full shade with sunroof open and windows rolled mostly down. Then afterwards we go to a favorite spot for a walk, or a run. I would do nothing to jeopardize the well-being of my dog, as anyone could tell you. I am a trusting person, perhaps too trusting, given some of the mischief that has occurred around The Villages recently.

I can only surmise that some self-appointed vigilante has taken upon itself to enforce their conception of justice for not leaving my dog locked up in the house all day. Four good walks a day are the norm for me. Perhaps I am wrong, but I cannot think of any other reason for the criminal acts, for that is what they are. I did purchase a dash cam and am trying to make it work properly. Once again, I would appreciate any reports of suspicious activity in parking areas. Sort of a neighborhood watch approach. Thank you.