Van got broken into but no damage at all

[guylevans]

Hi all, bit of a random question but yesterday my VW Caddy 2011 long wheelbase got broken into yesterday evening, and I had my wooden kit build sofa/double bed and cushions stolen.

No idea how they gained entry, no lock damage, no broken windows, van was definitely locked. Incident happened at an outside NCP car park so I’ve reported it to police and NCP. Hopefully numberplates are all logged so maybe CCTV can help.

Just wondered if anyone else has had anything like this happen before?

(Van broken into but no damage at all)

Any help would be great

GE (Cardiff)


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[STP]

There are locksmith tools available online like VW jiggle keys and picks, it's a bit more sophisticated than your usual break-in equipment but it's possible that's how it was done.

Also someone could have been parked nearby and recorded or blocked your key fob locking signal - did you hear the locks engage with the usual double thud? Mine is set as standard to deadlock, which requires only one press of the lock button and the deadbolts engage, which would make it much harder to mechanically pick the locks open as it takes much more force to retract the bolt.

Unlike other brands of vehicle, pressing the lock button twice doesn't apply the deadlocks, in fact the opposite on a Caddy. One press only is deadlocked, two presses takes the deadlocks back off again but leaves it locked conventionally - which only disables the pull handles by moving the actuator away from the handle end.

The other possible way is a locksmiths flat airbag tool which slips into the door frame and prises it open at the top using air pressure from a pump bulb with no damage and that would allow access to the lock button on the driver's door using a long lever. Once that is pressed, the van is open. I've never tried sitting in the van, deadlocking the doors with the key and then try the lock buttons to see if they are disabled when locked that way.

Going to try that today to be sure.

Sorry to hear about your loss, it's a silver lining that there's no damage but cold comfort considering it could happen again. Maybe worth buying slam locks like they use on courier vans, which cannot easily be defeated. However if someone wants in badly enough and has the tools and opportunities then it's hard to prevent.

[guylevans]

Thanks so much for replying. Yeah I can’t believe this happened.

I reported it to the police and also NCP car park. There might be a slim chance they can get some CCTV footage of the large sofa bed item being removed from my van.

Thanks again for replying. I was totally baffled how this could have happened.


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[NZDubNurd]

You could have an intermittent locking solenoid, so they may have just opened a door.

Mrs Touran is like that - only locks half the doors some of the time

[corroded]

I was about to say similar to the person above me, my sliding door has occasions where it decides it doesn't want to lock. And after locking the van I've checked it and it's slid open just fine.

I just check the doors like a paranoid person after locking it these days, it's never the conventional doors that are the problem though, just the slide.

[guylevans]

Thanks for all your replies guys, I’ll definitely check the sliding doors and other doors are locked in future. Thanks again


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