DesNdonut got robbed in France ( no joke ) (1 Viewer)

Jaws

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On the way back home.. stopped in a truck stop on the A428 approaching Rouen ( as we all do..)

Des woke up early and decided to grab a coffee from the service area

Donna and Tom ( grandson ) still in bed

Donna heard the front door open but thought it was Des returning

Nope.. It was some scrote who opened the door, reached in, rummaged through Donna's handbag and stole about £1300 in cash

Des was the first to say how stupid he had been leaving the cab door unlocked, and Donna said how daft SHE was leaving the bag in sight..

But guys and gals.. be warned..

It is safe to do as they did providing you are not complacent about basic security
These scumbags are opportunity thieves.. If a door is open and they can see easy pickings, be sure they WILL take advantage

A locked door and nothing on show will deter the passing scrote from bothering to try
 

slobadoberbob

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saw it happen in Spain a few years ago

I saw this at the first stop point as you arrived in Spain a few years ago.. Dutch car and caravan .. distraction at the side of the tab door and the other team member opened the car doors and grabbed the woman's bag.. then tore off in a car never to be seen again.

On my RV my central locking allows for the cab doors (including drivers) to stay locked when we open the habitation door up on the remote.

Eddie of VanBitz dealt with it for me.. the cab doors need a double click to open and the tab door a single, so the driver and passenger door always remain locked... great

Even when I stop I always ensure the cab doors are on locked position when I climb through to the back.


Bob
 

chrisgreen

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dreadfull thing to happen,although it could have been a lot worse,i'm glad your family are safe and well:thumb:
in france of all places,i thought france was the promise land:RollEyes:

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tonka

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Bad news..

Even when we stop for a short tea break I remove my sat nav off the dash and push down the locks on the cab, even when sitting in the rear of the van or standing by the side door.
As you say opportunists so best not give them any reason to come mess by your van.
 

Chris

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Last year in Spain I thought I was abouty to be a target. We had pulled into a little service area (the type without facilities) and I was having a cofee. I happened to look in my mirrors and saw a couple of Spaniards looking at my van and walking towards me. They had come from 2 separate cars.

I had just read Jim's security book so I was a bit more aware than usual.

I locked all the doors and legged it as quickly as possible.

It was only when I arrived at the Med that I realised I had been trailing diesel all across Spain but had assumed it was fluid from the air conditioning unit:Doh: I couldnt smell it.

My guess is these suspicious looking Spaniards were approaching to help/warn me rather than rob me::bigsmile:

Good tips though Jaws and a timely reminder:thumb:
 
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Could happen anywhere though not just france. We just feel more vulnerable in another country. Services on the motorway in the UK have just as many unsavory characters :Sad:

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hilldweller

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Nope.. It was some scrote who opened the door, reached in, rummaged through Donna's handbag and stole about £1300 in cash

And what about £1300 in a handbag when there's a whole motorhome to scatter it around ! That's just encouraging the criminals to try yours and my MH next. Thanks a lot Donna.

PS

I suppose it's never too late to read Jim's book.
 
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haganap

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Just pass on my best wishes to them both John, terrible thing to happen, and i know what him up there ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^is saying. Not what anyone wants to here at a time like this but, 1300? I wish I ever had that much in cash :Eeek:
Unfortunately some lucky scroate is laughing all the way to the [HI][STRIKE]bank[/STRIKE][/HI] drug dealer. :Angry:
 
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Jaws

Jaws

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Des had just collected the cash from a friend who lives in France who had bought a car from him..
Usually Des is well clued up ( welll.. .he IS a gypsy ! :winky: ) and stashes any lolly in various places. This was the last stop on the way home and the lolly was all together as he ( Des ) had arranged to make a purchase of some gold from another friend as they travelled back up

Des has been very philosophical about it and has accepted it as a lesson hard learned.
They travel around Europe a hellova lot ... As he said, last run in for the ferry, got lackadaisical and paid the price :Sad:

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Jaws

Jaws

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Well you have met em a few times Ray so proly know not a lot phases them .. They are fine mate.. but I will pass on everyones good wishes :thumb:
 

hilldweller

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Des has been very philosophical about it and has accepted it as a lesson hard learned.
They travel around Europe a hellova lot ... As he said, last run in for the ferry, got lackadaisical and paid the price :Sad:

And then a "friend" spreads his gaff all over the internet.

For the greater good of course.

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haganap

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Des had just collected the cash from a friend who lives in France who had bought a car from him..
Usually Des is well clued up ( [STRIKE][HI]welll.. .he IS a gypsy[/HI][/STRIKE] ! :winky: ) and stashes any lolly in various places. This was the last stop on the way home and the lolly was all together as he ( Des ) [HI][STRIKE]had arranged to make a purchase of some gold[/STRIKE][/HI] from another friend as they travelled back up

Des has been very philosophical about it and has accepted it as a lesson hard learned.
They travel around Europe a hellova lot ... As he said, last run in for the ferry, got lackadaisical and paid the price :Sad:

Perhaps he ought to stick to lucky heather next time John, :winky:

saves carrying that amount of cash. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Jaws

Jaws

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And then a "friend" spreads his gaff all over the internet.

For the greater good of course.

A FRIEND !! I aint no friend !!!

It is my daughter and her hubby..

And Des did ask that I post it up in the hope others would not fall foul and remain diligent at all times :thumb:
 
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Jaws

Jaws

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Perhaps he ought to stick to lucky heather next time John, :winky:

saves carrying that amount of cash. :ROFLMAO:

Have you ANY idea how much room a grands worth of lucky heather takes up !! Naaaa.. I reckon pegs are a safer bet !

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30 years ago I drove into Barcelona, noticed a small white car behind. Pulled over to park by the Port, the white car pulled over further down the road. Took wife's bag and other stuff out of the car and locked it in the boot. Came back an hour later - a pile of rocks on the boot lid holding it down. Luckilly we only lost the contents of the wifes bag, bit of cash (cards were not around then) and her drivers licence. I always carry passports, cash, tickets etc, never leave stuff in the van. The handbook for the 2004 Burstner I bought 6 months ago had a section on security and recommends locking all doors at all times even when driving - which I do.

Sad that there are some that still and always will steal and take advantage - glad it wasn't worse - nobody injured. I hope you get over it soon - but a lesson for us all :Sad:

Old Vic
 

hilldweller

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A FRIEND !! I aint no friend !!!

It is my daughter and her hubby..

And Des did ask that I post it up in the hope others would not fall foul and remain diligent at all times :thumb:

Well you didn't train her very well did you ! Didn't you mention a relative minding the shop for you whilst away ? Better train them better.

I take my hat off to Des then, it takes a real man to admit they've dropped a clanger like that.

The good news is it's not a life threatening amount, the fuel bill for a big trip, they'll survive. Maybe Jim will be sympathetic and give them a copy of The Book.

I must admit, I always leave via the hab door when filling up and I never lock it with 'er indoors inside but they'd never lay their hands on anything of great value, the passports and some cash in the safe. Emergency cash well hidden. I'm sure I'll still leave the hab door unlocked, we can either live life or cower in a corner.
 

beachcaster

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Could happen anywhere though not just france. We just feel more vulnerable in another country. Services on the motorway in the UK have just as many unsavory characters :Sad:

Agreed half of them serving the food and the others trying to get you to join the AA !

barry

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