Stolen car publicity in Spain?

[DealDrivers company representative]

A family member had their car stolen at a filling station on the A7 in the Valencia region of Spain today...despite the local 'traffico' police being on the scene in under 5mins and giving chase, armed with the reg' number and description, they didn't recover it despite tolls controlling that stretch of road. Does anyone know of an internet based way to publicise stolen reg' no's abroad?

The couple concerned are retired and very shaken up...and having just gone through a family bereavement this is the last straw for them.

[DealDrivers company representative]

As we help a lot of folk on here, on the offchance anyone CAN help us on this (if you have family/friends over there in the Javea/ Denia/ Moraira/ Alicante region...) , the details are as follows, plates are probably off already but anything is worth a try!
The chassis number may be the winner. The owners are terribly distraught as some personal items were in the car and they are just getting over a bereavement.

BMW 320D SE Touring (estate)
Mystic Blue (dark blue metallic) with mid-pale grey leather
Chassis No. WBAAP71020PJ51675
Spanish Reg. No. 2427 CJZ
Speedo. reading. 78,500 Kms.
Stolen: Benissa (Alicante region) Spain 12 June 2007

[Felix]

All so common in Spain these days.

[30111987]

was the car registered with the ISR?

[anewman]

Only thing that may have helped is some form of registration of all the parts on some international database or a tracking system but it's a bit late for that unfortunately.

It's obviously a nice car, which is why it was taergeted unfortunately.

[mjr600]

Only thing that may have helped is some form of registration of all the parts on some international database or a tracking system but it's a bit late for that unfortunately.

Sorry to say but that is quite wrong, most major and valuable parts of any modern vehicle, in particular those produced for the European market are potentially identifiable without the need for aftermarket databases, smartwater, etching or other crime prevention cash cow. The only thing that works are satellite tracking systems.

The BMW will have been targeted by thieves who's last concern is stealing a car with its part registered on a database. The car will likely have been followed for some distance whilst the thieves waited for the opportunity to take the car, in this case 99.9% with the key whilst it was running.

If they want the car, they'll take it, database or not, this one is not coming back.

I hope they have an understanding insurer.

[travel_freak]

Hi dealdrivers,

So sorry to hear of your relatives' bad luck, this is dreadful.

I have family near Malaga but they would be pretty clueless on this sort of issue. My only thought would be is there perhaps a local English speaking radio station that might listen sympathetically and broadcast something or put a note on its webpage - although I don't know whether they won't do this sort of thing due to data protection/confidentiality laws? Might be worth an ask though as it would be a really quick way to ask anyone who sees the car to call the police with a location.

Just wanted to say all the very best of luck in tracking it down anyway and to catching the b**gers!

Regards,

[DealDrivers company representative]

Thanks TF....all worth a try...they're working hard over there today.

This was a once-only retirement car for them so they're devastated as well as immobile now, and having to have all their house locks changed today as they were going to a meeting and had relevant doc's showing their home address and a house key in there, as well as medication they needed....so you can imagine.
We logged the chassis number etc with 4 main ports authorities security heads over there last night and 'suggested' to the local police they check the cctv film from the toll point on that road as the car must have gone through one of the booths within minutes, due to where it was when stolen.

I know its unlikely to be recovered but you can't give in to these rats without a hard effort first and using the obvious, like cctv sources.