While it gives me a headache to tell this story, I feel that it is important to warn others so that they don't experience the same incoveniences that I have had to deal with this week. 

 

Monday (4/13) afternoon my friend and I went for a mountain bike ride near Rist Canyon.  We parked our car on county road 54E just east of the Graves Dairy Feedlot.  At approximately 3PM we rode away from the car on our bikes.  At approximately 6PM we returned to an empty spot where the car sat.  Around the empty spot were footprints that didn't match ours and another car's tire tracks.  Our tracks lead in the direction of Rist Canyon.  Ryan and I pedaled down the road toward the Rist junction.  At the junction we recognized the same 2 sets of tire tracks rounding the corner, obviously running the stop sign, leaving rubber on the asphalt.  They both headed west up Rist Canyon.

 

At this point my friend and I started recounting all the items we had left in the car.  We were both concerned about our wallets, house and work keys, cell phones, ID and credit cards, my garage door opener and my address printed on my vehicle registration card.  Along with clothes, bags, tools, and other valuables.  The only thing we could do is ride home and call the police.

 

The Larimer County Sheriffs department take this stuff very serious.  They gave me instructions on how to deal with the credit cards, ID, insurance, and a detailed account of everything in the car.  They said that the serial numbers on the car stereo and our phones may be the most helpful piece of information.   We managed to get our credit cards cancelled, cell phone turned off and the police report filed before we attempted to go to sleep.  I couldn't help to wonder who had my car and what they were going to do with all my stuff.

 

There were a lot of stereotypes that went through my mind as I laid in bed.  Could it have been a poor guy that lost his job, needed a car, my money and some stuff to try to sell?  Or was it the migrant worker who finally found a way to get home to see his family?  Or perhaps a bunch of kids who saw the convertable car on a desolate road, checked it for goods and found my keys?...Joy Ride!   Or maybe, just maybe, we parked in a bad spot and upset the local property owners???  

 

Tuesday I learned from a friend that he tried to call me at 5:45PM the day before.  He thought it was me that answered, but got disconnected.  The guy on the phone said, "Hello" and his friend, in the background, yelled something and the phone went dead.   Why the hell would someone answer someone else's phone if they stole their car?  This information had me totally confused.

 

Wednesday I drove Rist Canyon, checking each driveway for my tire tracks.  I went up to the radio towers to see if it was sitting alone on the top of the mountain.  I drove down the back side, out onto Old Flowers Road, all the way to the gate.  To see if it was smashed into a tree or stuck in the mud.  Everywhere I went I looked.  Hoping to see something.  Kinda like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  My gut instinct tells me that my car is parked somewhere in the mountains.  Probably with the keys in it, waiting for it's next joy ride.  Others have told me that it is probably in town, on a random street, looking like it belongs there. 

 

Colorado statistics state that 70% of stolen cars are returned to their owners.  This doesn't say anything about what condition they are in, or how long it takes.

 

My mother sent me a text message last night, to see if I was ok.  I was reminded of 2 important things, things that helped me sleep a little better.  1)It is only stuff ...and... 2)Don't let someone elses actions affect your reactions.  I am trying to keep a positive attitude!

 

I know that people get ripped off everyday.  I realize that this stuff happens.  My fiance' was visiting with one of her clients today, a highschool girl, who told her that the kids in school like to do what is called "Car Jump".  I guess they find cars that are easy to steal, joy ride and park it somewhere. 

I made a couple mistakes on Monday.  I left my keys in the car and I parked in a spot that wasn't a parking lot.  Hopefully, this message will help others to not make the same mistakes.  I just want my stuff back!

Please forward this to others.  And, if you have a high school kid, talk to them about how serious car theft is.  I don't want to hear that someone else had to spend a week getting their life back together because of a stolen car.

Attached is a picture of the car.  The fiberglass top has been removed and is in my garage.  It had a bikini top, bike rack and cargo rack on top.

Oh, and if you have any heartwarming stories or other information that may help please call me or email.

Thanks again for reading this message.

Joe Bagley
New World Sports
308 Ruth Street
Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-224-5857
www.NewWorldSportsLLC.com

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