soft top slashed and contents stolen

[Jeepalady17]

Just a heads up to those of you that have ordered soft tops for their Wranglers. I was in Albuquerque for business and was at a well lit hotel but wouldn't you know it when I woke up in the morning and went outside my soft top windows were slashed all around (probably with box cutters) and everything inside was taken including the remote for the winch.. They even stole the D-rings off the front bumper. The cops said the soft tops are vulnerable and if possible take everything out of the Wrangler at night and leave it unlocked.. Better to let them bent on stealing to rummage thru an empty Jeep and save the soft top. I am a soft top fan so it was so upsetting for that to happen (which is why I ordered my new 2-door with a hard top) Times are a'changing and it so invasive and disgusting when that happened.. I had soft tops for 20 years before this happened with no problem so just fair warning to you all,, becareful where you park and don't leave anything valuable in there.. The cops said its becoming more and more of a problem.. I'll miss my soft top but it is what it is.....

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[Apexcars]

Sorry this happened to you. It sucks that crime is so out of control in so many areas.

 

[falcon241073]

Albuquerque is a crap hole. Crime ridden city. There’s a reason “breaking bad” tv show was based there. Everyone I know that’s stayed in a hotel over night there while traveling has had their vehicle broken into. I had a grill and yard tools stolen out of my pick up when we stopped there overnight when moving from Tennessee to Phoenix. They cut the steel cable I had securing the grill. I was parked in the parking lot under a street light in tue row by the front doors to the hotel. That was in 2004.

I won’t even stop for fuel in Albuquerque when I’m traveling. I drive thru and won’t stop.

 

[unsavory]

My brother leaves his Jeep unlocked for this very reason. Unfortunately, a crack head still cut the top to get in, rummaged through everything, and missed the cash he had in plain view.

He cut a hole into the roof and climbed in from the top. ?

 

[grimmjeeper]

I always left my old soft top Jeep unlocked. Had someone rummage through it 3 times in 7 years. Nothing of value was ever there to be stolen. But they didn't cut the windows so I would say I came out ahead.

 

[Mudduck]

Just a heads up to those of you that have ordered soft tops for their Wranglers. I was in Albuquerque for business and was at a well lit hotel but wouldn't you know it when I woke up in the morning and went outside my soft top windows were slashed all around (probably with box cutters) and everything inside was taken including the remote for the winch.. They even stole the D-rings off the front bumper. The cops said the soft tops are vulnerable and if possible take everything out of the Wrangler at night and leave it unlocked.. Better to let them bent on stealing to rummage thru an empty Jeep and save the soft top. I am a soft top fan so it was so upsetting for that to happen (which is why I ordered my new 2-door with a hard top) Times are a'changing and it so invasive and disgusting when that happened.. I had soft tops for 20 years before this happened with no problem so just fair warning to you all,, becareful where you park and don't leave anything valuable in there.. The cops said its becoming more and more of a problem.. I'll miss my soft top but it is what it is.....

you weren’t at the quality inn by chance? It’s gated and lit up bright. My guys work van was broken into there as well as 4 other cars that night. Security guard and all…. SMH

 

[Smoke ‘Em]

Totally sucks that happened to you!

I started altering my behavior after it became commonplace for ford trucks to get broken into. Sadly, I keep a growing list of cities I simply won’t take a personal vehicle into, I’ll only visit there in a rental.

I used to stay at hotels and resorts with frequency, but they’ve become targets for thieves. Last break in of a personal car was a new super duty at a resort in San Antonio, which had a secure(ha!) parking area. I’ll still patronize the resort, but won’t drive anything but a rental.

I still rock a soft top as I really don’t think a hard top makes a difference. If a thief wants access, they’re going to get it.

Last several years, if I’m traveling in one of my own vehicles I avoid hotels and resorts, with few exceptions. I utilize Airbnb, VRBO or similar services and rent a place that’s off the beaten path, someplace quiet and private, with good access to what I’m trying to do. I’ve found that to be a much safer experience and gotten to know some great folks as well.

 

[zrickety]

everything inside was taken

I love my soft top. I don't leave mine unlocked, but I do keep it empty. Often with the windows off.
What did they see inside that they wanted so badly?

My brother leaves his Jeep unlocked for this very reason. Unfortunately, a crack head still cut the top to get in

This is my fear, they won't even bother with the door.

 

[Espy]

Albuquerque is a crap hole.

New Mexico is a crap hole (except maybe Taos).

FIFY.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

Just a heads up to those of you that have ordered soft tops for their Wranglers. I was in Albuquerque for business and was at a well lit hotel but wouldn't you know it when I woke up in the morning and went outside my soft top windows were slashed all around (probably with box cutters) and everything inside was taken including the remote for the winch.. They even stole the D-rings off the front bumper. The cops said the soft tops are vulnerable and if possible take everything out of the Wrangler at night and leave it unlocked.. Better to let them bent on stealing to rummage thru an empty Jeep and save the soft top. I am a soft top fan so it was so upsetting for that to happen (which is why I ordered my new 2-door with a hard top) Times are a'changing and it so invasive and disgusting when that happened.. I had soft tops for 20 years before this happened with no problem so just fair warning to you all,, becareful where you park and don't leave anything valuable in there.. The cops said its becoming more and more of a problem.. I'll miss my soft top but it is what it is.....

I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm originally from Michigan and have since moved back to Michigan in 2015.. but I was Air Foce and was stationed in Albuquerque from 2006 to 2008 which is when I got out of the Military.. I stayed in Albuquerque from then until 2015 during which time I was a Corrections Officer. Albuquerque is a very high crime rate city. So it doesn't surprise me but it's still ridiculous that you have to worry about that. Super high crime there.. let's just say when you are a corrections officer there and also live there you are always watching your back. Actually had my house broken into by some previous inmates who knew my work schdule.. luckily I took that day off and they didn't realize it.. they kicked in my door only to be staring down the barrel of my glock. Albuquerque definitely has a crime issue

 

[GMONEY]

That really sucks.

I've always been one to keep jeep empty or contents secured sonehow and unlocked when possible.

Soft tops are expensive but that's what I like.

 

[Shots]

Just a heads up to those of you that have ordered soft tops for their Wranglers. I was in Albuquerque for business and was at a well lit hotel but wouldn't you know it when I woke up in the morning and went outside my soft top windows were slashed all around (probably with box cutters) and everything inside was taken..... ..... Times are a'changing and it so invasive and disgusting when that happened.. I had soft tops for 20 years before this happened with no problem ....

Nope, this isn't a new thing. Same 'ol M.O. that's been going on for years, soft tops Jeeps are an easy target (much like any convertible). I had a bag stolen out of the back of a TJ in 2003 where the thief unzipped the back window and took a bag out. This was in Honolulu so obviously a big city, but obviously something that's been going on for at least 19 years.

I had a convertible Steeda Mustang (SN95) that I left unlocked with the top down all the time. People were always shocked that I didn't close the top and lock it, but I told them exactly what you were told. I'd rather them rummage around it than to cut the top.

.....I still rock a soft top as I really don’t think a hard top makes a difference. If a thief wants access, they’re going to get it. ...

Agreed. With a hard top, they'll just break a window.
The best you can do is hope to slow them down, or to make them find an easier target. To do this you can install a security enclosure in the cargo area, which is a good choice for soft tops. It may not stop them but it's more work, so maybe they'll pick a different target.
The other thing is to put security film on your glass if you have a hard top. I put it on all my vehicles as soon as I buy them. I use tinted film, but you can get it clear too if you want. Again, it may not stop them but it may help a little. Somethimes that's enough.

 

[falcon241073]

Nope, this isn't a new thing. Same 'ol M.O. that's been going on for years, soft tops Jeeps are an easy target (much like any convertible). I had a bag stolen out of the back of a TJ in 2003 where the thief unzipped the back window and took a bag out. This was in Honolulu so obviously a big city, but obviously something that's been going on for at least 19 years.

I had a convertible Steeda Mustang (SN95) that I left unlocked with the top down all the time. People were always shocked that I didn't close the top and lock it, but I told them exactly what you were told. I'd rather them rummage around it than to cut the top.



Agreed. With a hard top, they'll just break a window.
The best you can do is hope to slow them down, or to make them find an easier target. To do this you can install a security enclosure in the cargo area, which is a good choice for soft tops. It may not stop them but it's more work, so maybe they'll pick a different target.
The other thing is to put security film on your glass if you have a hard top. I put it on all my vehicles as soon as I buy them. I use tinted film, but you can get it clear too if you want. Again, it may not stop them but it may help a little. Somethimes that's enough.

Yea I had the Tuffy security enclosure in my Jeep. I’ve used them since my 2012 JKU. I have now gone to drawers by American adventure labs. I’m looking for a big tool box to bolt to my fridge slide for everyday use to put bags In. Fridge when I go camping or off-roading.

The drawers hold more than you’d think. The drawers do have key locks but you can’t get them open or take them out without the tailgate being open and since I lock the Jeep using the keyfob the lock buttons disable 3-5minutes later so no opening the tailgate ??‍

 

[Jeepalady17]

Sorry this happened to you. It sucks that crime is so out of control in so many areas.

Thanks and crime is getting worse and worse,, going to put a security box in my new Jeep and hope for the best

 

[Jeepalady17]

Albuquerque is a crap hole. Crime ridden city. There’s a reason “breaking bad” tv show was based there. Everyone I know that’s stayed in a hotel over night there while traveling has had their vehicle broken into. I had a grill and yard tools stolen out of my pick up when we stopped there overnight when moving from Tennessee to Phoenix. They cut the steel cable I had securing the grill. I was parked in the parking lot under a street light in tue row by the front doors to the hotel. That was in 2004.

I won’t even stop for fuel in Albuquerque when I’m traveling. I drive thru and won’t stop.

Ya crazy that they arre so brazen as to do it under a light right in front oof y0ur door. I agree no tops anywhere in Albuquerque ever. The cops said tey are so overrun with theft they can't keep up with it.. Took them two hours to get to me cuz they had calls all over.. It stinks

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