Honda Civics being stolen

[mikepesikan]

This was copied from a different Forum i visit, and was interesting.

Stolen Hondas Lesson?

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Here on Long Island, we have been getting a huge number of stolen Honda Civics especially occurring in our precinct. So many, that our Auto Squad has been re-deployed to actually work out of our precinct with our detectives. Anyway, yesterday the four guys in my team and our Sgt were told to meet up with Auto Squad at our impound yard for a crash course on what to look for when stopping mid-1990's Honda Civics. Out here they are very popular for racing, so guys will find base Civics and then steal one with the better performing, faster V-TEC engines and swap them.

Anyway, during the hour long crash course, we were shown where the vins are found on the engines, what other numbers we can run if we can't find the vin to check if the engine is stolen and stuff like that. Also check window etching and see if the numbers on the glass match the vin to determine if the doors (or windows) are stolen. Another thing that was last to get mentioned was that all Civics have 4 lug nuts on the wheels except if the suspension system has been swapped out, which might be done if the owner was a total car nut, then it might have 5 lug nuts. And given the area, if someone changed the suspension, you should try to get a look under the hood and check the vins because the engine was probably swapped out for a faster one. And the car guys LOVE talking about their cars and LOVE showing off under the hoods.

So after the hour-long crash course, we ate lunch, and headed back to work and my Sgt and I were driving around and what do you know... within an hour of the course, I spot a red Honda Civic with 5 lug nuts parked in front of a house, but facing the wrong direction. Parking driver's side to the curb is a summonsable offense. As we get a closer look at the passenger door, we notice that only the passenger door glass had etching and the number didn't match the vin on the dash.

While we were looking at the car, a guy was sitting in a car across the street from the house, and I asked him his business and he said that he was waiting for his friend and we were checking out his friend's car. I asked to call his friend out so he could turn his car around to face the right direction and avoid the summons. His friend ran out and I asked him to move his car to avoid the ticket. He thanked me, started up the car, and then I heard the engine and exhaust. Without moving the car, I asked him to shut it off, and told him stuff like, "Man that engine sounds great... whatcha got under there? Can I see? My friend is into Hondas and he was telling me blah, blah, blah." Needless to say, he pops the hood, I check the engine, and the vin plate is partially scratched off, I run the "engine prefix" "engine numbers" (which are cross referenced to a the vin) and guess what... the engine was stolen out of NYC.

It was the first car we looked at, and the guy got locked up for the stolen engine, and illegal possession of the vin. (Both felonies) When we brought the guy in, the Auto Squad detectives were dumb-founded that we found one so fast. They hadn't even un-packed their bags, and when they intervied the bad guy he started talking. He gave up the guy he bought the engine from, where the guy lives, the shop where the work was done. It's probably going to open a huge can of worms.

So the lesson: Keep an eye out for Civics with 5 lug nuts.
__________________
Take care and stay sharp,

Jon
Be kind, courteous, and professional to everyone you meet, but also be prepared to kill them.

[06Fg2]

Hahaha. So my engine is stolen....sweet.

[Janizary]

Originally Posted by mikepesikan

So the lesson: Keep an eye out for Civics with 5 lug nuts.

Oh nossers. All of our new 2006 civics must be stolen! (5 lug wheels)

[ILL FG2]

I feel bad for the people that do 5 lug swaps on older civics for performance and more wheel options. Just more attention for the honda guys while everyone else goes unnoticed.

[jay3151]

they catched alot of poeple in ny that way. always had my papers (engine and tranny reciepts) for all my stuff w me when i had my 00 hatch.

[jay3151]

but thats old news thats been happening for a while now.

[OblivionJin]

Civics being stolen? NO WAY!

[atruhondagrl]

I got a good laugh out of that one. Thanks.

[moxom]

I'm converting my sedan to 4 lugs, don't wanna raise suspicion...

[fa1]

I'm keeping my JDM type R 5-lug suspension on. It's gotta be worth at least $1000

[GETxERxDONE]

Originally Posted by jay3151

they catched alot of poeple in ny that way. always had my papers (engine and tranny reciepts) for all my stuff w me when i had my 00 hatch.

hah i woulda not kept my recipts in the car because i like getting pulled over when i didnt do anything

[themuse03]

i guess that would apply on older civics only coz newer ones have 5 lugs in it.

[jay3151]

it was w older civics. and kept the papers to my engine since i did a swap. if i didnt have it i would have to go through a longer hassle so they know it wasnt stolen. i kept it w my registraion didnt make a diffirence for me.

i never had them asked me to pop the hood but some of my freinds in the area did have this issue, they looked to see if anything came back stolen and then impounded it, u would have to pay their impound fees too

[mikepesikan]

More info from the other forum, apparently these guys are cops.




new civics are terrible candidates for motor swaps.

Short of within lineage swaps (RSX to RSX-S), the acutal motor selection isnt that great. You might find some Rav 4's stolen (a desirable stout block).

Among your probable cause to pull over such vehicles:
(besides the usual tint/cell phone/seatbelt)
loud exhaust- Might need db meter qualification. You can get away with some of it, you have to articulate that it may/may not have a CAT, gotta check with your local dept. If your good at articulating, you can just just tag them on a "non OEM exhaust component".

The very wrong, but useful, "one hand on steering wheel". I wouldnt write it, but still useful.

Obstructed view: Big wing on the trunk? Fuzzy dice? Christmas tree airfreshener?

Headlights: A lot of times, people just cant resist. New cars have them from the factory, but any of the aftermarket HID kits is reasonable cause to stop and question. So is using Blue bulbs, turn signals, etc.

Watch the tail lights- Any of the "clear" tail lights- were never DOT approved except on Lexus vehicles (is300 was the first- expanded to the RX series-). I believe the mazda rx8 has them as well.