RoboDawG Truck and Trailer stolen from Toronto Area

[jamierose]

If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to contact team 610. We're definitely all willing to help you.

[Ether]

I know the horse is already out of the barn, but for all teams reading this, there is some good advice about securing trailers to be found here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=107113

[216Robochick288]

Unfortunately we rent our trailers, so we cant put easily identifiable logos on the side as we don't own them...

[Ether]

Originally Posted by 216Robochick288

Unfortunately we rent our trailers, so we cant put easily identifiable logos on the side as we don't own them...

You linked to my post so I assume you were commenting on the link I provided there.

The suggestions in that thread go way beyond putting logos on the trailer. There are effective security measures that can be taken with rented trailers.

Again, I realize this is too late to help you, and my blood boils when I think about people stealing trailers they know contain the property of teams of high-schoolers.

But maybe this could help avoid heartbreak for other teams in the future.

[216Robochick288]

Originally Posted by Ether

You linked to my post so I assume you were commenting on the link I provided there.

The suggestions in that thread go way beyond putting logos on the trailer. There are effective security measures that can be taken with rented trailers.

Again, I realize this is too late to help you, and my blood boils when I think about people stealing trailers they know contain the property of teams of high-schoolers.

But maybe this could help avoid heartbreak for other teams in the future.

Yes, and thank you so much for the link! I agree, whomever finds it alright to steal, let alone from a high school robotics team, needs a lesson. As horrible as this all is, we hope to perform our best at one of our favourite competitions.

Also, Suj, I am not sure which part of Oshawa they are in. Thank you so much for forwarding the message!

[lakstick]

The hotel is the Quality Hotel and Conference Center.

[Moriarty]

Do any of the belongings have any sort of tracking ability? A smartphone perhaps? Anything of that sort? Even if its not currently on but has the ability to be tracked you could set up a watch for it for when it is inevitably turned on (if the trailer is eventually broken into and the belongings attempted to be sold) With modern technology this is certainly becoming a feature... although I think most of them require prior setup to being stolen. Perhaps ask anyone on the team if their phone was stolen whether they had any such app on their phone?

[suj]

Well this is lame, which part of Oshawa was it exactly? I will alert my friends who go to UOIT to keep an eye out for it I'll also post this on my teams facebook page!

[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by 216Robochick288

Unfortunately we rent our trailers, so we cant put easily identifiable logos on the side as we don't own them...

You can put magnets on it. Won't be nearly as big as they have been talking about, but you can get them fairly large.

[rsisk]

I can totally relate to your situation. Couple of tips beyond the thread Ether linked earlier....

Wheel boots are pretty useless, I have accidentally driven the trailer a short distance with the boot on. It now sits unused in my truck. Instead I run a steel cable through the wheels and padlock the ends together. If you only have one wheel, find a place on the frame to run the cable through. I have proven more than once the trailer will not move when secured this way. This is even good advice for rented trailers.

Homeowners insurance will likely cover the contents of the trailer. Check it out and be repaired to provide a detailed inventory of what was in the trailer.

When something like this happens, immediately prepare a press releaase and get it to the newspapers. We had more than a hundred published articles when our trailer was stolen. Also blitz social media with pictures of the trailer. We ended up with two leads from our Facebook posts.

There is a serious need for something like "where's my droid" for trailers.

If you own the trailer, paint your license number on the roof in large letters, easy to see from a police helicopter.

I recommend NOT decorating the outside of the trailer with graphics. It draws attention to the trailer and makes it more appealing to thieves.

Ask the hotel for security tapes. Ask the local police to check red light cameras in the area.

First priority is to prevent the theft in the first place. Second priority is to quickly locate and recover the trailer. Third priority is to replace what was stolen.

Our trailer was never found although about 6 months later, we got a call from Fontana PD That two transients were found with our license plate on their trailer. We had them arrested, but nothing further came from that event.

Good luck with the recovery of your property.

[216Robochick288]

As I said yesterday, as far as we know, there are no electronics to be tracked. Both my Father and sister had their phones on them when his truck was stolen.

Fortunately, they both had their passports with them at the time it was taken. My coach emailed the families/team/alumni about what happened. Immediately, we had many mothers, fathers, and some friends and alumni jump up to help.

There were 3 groups when they traveled yesterday. The early group turned around to get stuff. A parent rented another trailer, and the people back home ran about getting as many extra Robodawg gear that they could find. Boxes of shirts from my freshman year to the extras they had laying around town.

This vehicle with the new trailer showed up at 5am. As my friend on Facebook put it, "Day started 22 hours ago, Finally in bed at the hotel"

They certainly invited the idea of resting after a long day.

Despite the large amount both volume wise and money wise, we are thankful to be back to Waterloo. I know I don't just speak for myself when I say this is my favourite competition to go to. We look forward to having fun today!

Oh also, my friend lost his kilt in the trailer, if someone could get him one, even to just wear around the competition, I'm sure he would appreciate it! Just head to one of our pits and ask for Noorman. I'm sure someone can point you in the direction of him!

[lakstick]

If anyone is still interested in this, here is a news article written by our local news, as well as a video of the broadcast aired at the 6 o'clock news tonight!

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local...cs-team-robbed

We just hope we'll be able to find our truck and trailer soon!

[216Robochick288]

Hello again, I would like to give you all an update!

The truck was found the 13th with no signs of the trailer. The Canadain police have the truck in custody, as well as the man who was driving it at the time they found it. They have him in for questioning. They found it in Brantford, about 130miles [err... about 210km] away from where it was stolen.

We don't have much more information than that, but my father and team would like to thank everyone in FIRST for stepping up and helping, as well as keeping an eye out for the truck and trailer!

We would like to give special thanks to all the teams in the tournament who stepped up to give our teams help when we needed it. The help that poured in was spectacular, and as one of my friends said, nearly overwhelming. It was fantastic to work with everyone, and hope to work with everyone again, but hopefully in better circumstances.

~Abby RoboDawG Wilson~

[mman1506]

Congrats, hope you can find that trailer.

BTW Thanks again for all the help that your team gave us. Turns out turning is a pretty important task.

[216Robochick288]

Originally Posted by mman1506

BTW Thanks again for all the help that your team gave us. Turns out turning is a pretty important task.

These are words from one with experience with turning now I am guessing? yes, being able to turn will certainly help when trying to drive.