Man uses social media hoping to track down stolen car
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PORTLAND, Ore. – After a Southeast Portland man had his car stolen Christmas morning, he turned to social media to try to find the thief.
The last time Michael Rooney saw his 2001 four-door Honda Accord was Christmas Eve. But when he walked out of the house Christmas morning to get a cup of coffee, it was gone.
He keeps the car locked and it even has an alarm.
"A lot of people are desperate, and they choose Christmas and Christmas Eve in particular because people may be out of town or they're just not paying attention," he said.
Not too many car thefts happen in Rooney’s neighborhood, and he said the police told him there's a pretty good chance he could get his car back. Still, after Rooney called police he put a few more detectives on the case by posting on Reddit.com that his car had been stolen.
He learned that his car is popular for thieves. He also learned that several hundred, may be thousands of "Predditors" – that's what visitors to Reddit call themselves – are looking out for his car and thief.
"Usually it's just somebody who's opportunistic, sees a car that's unlocked, maybe, and takes it and drives it until it runs out of gas – leaves it on the side of the road," Rooney said.
Rooney, on a break from college, and his girlfriend, had planned a holiday trip. But they left town Wednesday in a loaner.
"(I) spoke with an officer yesterday. He seemed pretty optimistic we'd get it back. But I'm not holding out too much hope until I have it in my hands," Rooney said.
My uncle's vintage cars and collection of guns have also been stolen. His "friend" and other brother have done this. They think they are going to get away with it. If you have any information on where my uncle's possessions have ended up, please contact me through my Facebook link. Thanks https://www.facebook.com/elpato.cazares
Our local police sheriff told us that 9 out of 10 stolen cars are Honda's. Only for that reason alone would I never buy one.
if found the car will definitely have to be de-methed.
the car probably ended up in a chop shop and been parted out by now....I find it funny that he said it was locked and had an alarm. Cars with alarms now mean absolutely nothing....society has become so desensitized to alarms that they are a waste of money and being locked won't stop anyone....both things are childs play to someone who truly wants to steal the car....this isn't just some kid who decided to go on a joyride probably but rather a knowledgeable thief who found a car that he knew he could get away with....but that officer shouldn't have said what they said when there is probably a huge chance that the car won't be found, and if it is found, it'll be in pieces....time for you to just suck it up and buy a new car with your insurance money
Katu, it's 'Redditor', not 'predditor.' Â They're readers and editors of Reddit, not people out looking for their next kill.
Be nice, this is my baby boy. It's actually a black car and the license # is YPG 097, in case anyone spots it. It was locked and had an alarm. We realize it's probably in pieces right now, but you never know. He also works a full time job, so he needs a car.
How much will the insurance cover someone for a stolen car? It's sad, but true about Honda Accords being the most valued "parts" car there is on the market.Â
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Such a shame, really.
 2 words "Chop shop" and 2 more "Tough luck"
He's on a break from college, and his girlfriend? Is this ACTUALLY a singles add?! DAWWW....
First sir it's a bummer your car was stolen. But please don't go out and buy coffee on Christmas morning. Can ya give a Barista at least a couple of days off and use a maker? Maybe you should ask for one for Christmas?
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But second, you won one of the most stolen cars in the world. It tops the most stolen for more than a decade and the 2001 is still on the list of the most commonly stolen. Indeed it is so common that law enforcement aganci9es use it as a bait car and that car has been "stolen" 4 times in the last 2 weeks.
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If youâre going to own a vehicle so commonly stolen you should have some method of preventing it.
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Oh and good luck finding it. The reason why it is one of the most commonly stolen cars is not necessarily because it is easy (because it is any Honda key can become a bump key), but because chop shops can resell the parts in less than a day. So right now your car could already be in 500 pieces headed all over the country sold to second-hand parts places for more money than you could have gotten had you sold the car for 10% more than Blue Book.
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 @Repoman I agree with the car portion of your post, but respectfully disagree on the barista point. If a barista has to work Christmas, they might as well earn as many tips as possible by encouraging customers to come in!
Dear Katu, if you want to run a story and ask for the public's help then you might want to mention a bit more other than a "blue Honda" (me thinks there are a few on the streets), how about a licence plate number.
For about $40Â ,one can buy the "club" and prevent stolen cars. A small investment saves big dollars in the end.
 @Whitehawk that is a worthless purchase.....doesn't take much to cut through the steering wheel to get the club off....a steering wheel is easily replaced by someone who already works in stolen cars.....
In less then 3 mimn a pro car thief can cut through one of them.
 @disgustedman And according to the club warranty they will pay for the vehicle
,or damages if found
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I hope he gets his Honda back in better condition than my Honda was in when I got it back a day after it was stole. Mine was stripped of everything including the wheels and then shoved down a drainage ditch.Â
 @swimbad doubtful....IF its found it'll be in a chop shop, or junk yard somewhere with all the parts that can be used removed....and be nothing more than a huge paperweight
 @swimbad Where was it found? I heard that Honda Accords are the #1 stolen car in the Metro area because of the "parts value".