Importance Score: 7 / 100 🟠
Tales of vehicle theft are unfortunately widespread, but one recent story features an astonishing turn of events. A British man reported his 2016 Honda Civic Type R stolen earlier this year. In a bizarre twist, just three weeks later, he unwittingly bought back his stolen car.
The Unbelievable Saga of a Stolen and Recovered Honda Civic Type R
Ewan Valentine, the vehicle’s owner, recounted the incredible ordeal on his Instagram account. He explained that his Honda Civic Type R was taken from his residence in February. He had owned the car for around Three years and, like many Type R enthusiasts, had begun customizing it with additions like a Remus exhaust.
The Search for a Replacement
Valentine explained that, due to his attachment to the vehicle, he sought to purchase a replacement as close as possible to his original. He located a vehicle at a local dealership that appeared remarkably similar. While the license plates, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and mileage differed, the color and model year matched. It even featured the identical Remus exhaust system.
Uncovering the Truth: Familiar Signs
After bringing the vehicle home, Valentine began to notice peculiar details that mirrored his stolen car:
- A tent peg and pine needles from a Christmas tree were inside the trunk.
- The wheel lock key was located in a similar pouch to the one he previously used.
Confirmation through Technology
Valentine then examined the car’s navigation system data. “Searching for something definitive, I checked the satnav history,” he documented on Instagram. “Sure enough, my address, my partner’s parents’ address, my parents’ address.” He added, “It dawned on me at this point that my phone immediately synchronized via Bluetooth without pairing.” Moreover, the Bluetooth records contained his phone, his partner’s phone, and their old devices.
Verification and Aftermath
He took the vehicle to a nearby Honda service center. Technicians there connected their diagnostic computer to the car’s ECU, revealing that the VIN matched Valentine’s original stolen Honda Civic Type R. He had unknowingly repurchased his own stolen vehicle.
Seller’s Innocence
Valentine believes neither the app he utilized to locate the vehicle nor the dealership from which he purchased it had any awareness of its stolen nature. “I did report the sellers, but there was absolutely nothing untoward about them,” he stated.
Ongoing Investigation
Regarding the investigation, Valentine confirmed that “there have been no arrests, and the case is paused for now.” He elaborated that the thieves had convincingly cloned his car, and he is now dealing with his insurance provider.
Insurance Complications
Valentine expressed frustration with the insurance company’s handling of the situation. “The insurance company have taken ages to process the whole situation, and I got the impression they weren’t entirely sure what to do about the whole situation,” he said. He anticipates several more weeks before he can reclaim the car. In the interim, he is driving his partner’s 2007 Civic Type S, which he finds “a lot less fun to drive.”