Happy end thanks to autoSense: car recovered after theft abroad

Summer vacation time is travel time. This was also the case for the C. family, who went to Calabria in August. Their car was stolen. And yet, thanks to autoSense , the trip came to a happy ending.

A vacation trip to the south is something beautiful. Traveling by car, with your loved ones, the best time of the year ahead of you. That's how Mario C^.*), together with his wife and daughter, started the trip to Italy to meet other family members and spend time together. On board: a autoSense Plus adapter for the mobile Wifi hotspot of the daughter's iPad. Mario C. has been a autoSense customer for a good two years.

The trip was unfortunately overshadowed by a very unpleasant event. We were able to talk to Mario C. He told us what happened to him in southern Italy.

Tropea is a small town on the east coast of the southern Italian region of Calabria. It is known for its old town on a rock, its beaches and red onions. Mario C. and his wife, who are stationed near this small town on vacation, drive there as a couple on the evening of August 11, 2023, to enjoy the warm summer evening and the town. They arrive in the idyllic town at 8:15 p.m., park their black Alfa Romeo Stelvio in a public parking lot and go into town for dinner.

At about 11 p.m., the two head off in the direction of the parking lot. They still have an hour to drive back home to their vacation home. But back at the parking lot, the Alfa is no longer there.

At first, Mario C. suspects that the vehicle has been towed because he paid for the parking ticket with a parking app and this may not have been registered. But people nearby, whom he asks, confirm to him that in such a case a fine is issued and a car is not immediately towed away.

This strengthens the suspicion that the car may have been stolen. Mario C. is autoSense customer. He has the app on his smartphone and the adapter is in his car. He opens the autoSense app and sees that his Alfa is in a different location. He immediately calls the police, informs them about the brazen theft and about the adapter installed in the car, thanks to which the location of the stolen vehicle can be seen.

When the police officers arrive on the scene, Mario C. gives them his cell phone so that they can see the location live and take up the pursuit. Riding in the police car is not an option, as it is not allowed.

The police officers drive off with flashing blue lights, a 2nd patrol is sent. The Alfa Romeo is quickly found thanks to vehicle tracking in the autoSense app. There is no sign of the thieves, who have already fled the scene.

The perpetrators removed the child seat and other personal belongings, probably threw them away. Police told Mario C. that the thieves completely disassemble stolen cars and then sell the parts as spare parts. In the same night, 5 vehicles were stolen and probably disassembled. Only Mario C.'s could be found again, thanks to autoSense.

Back in Switzerland, Mario C. has his vehicle thoroughly inspected. At his request, we also check the adapter at autoSense . Result: everything ok! We are glad that the incident went smoothly and, despite all the inconveniences for Mario C. and his family, led to a happy ending after all.

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^*) The correct name is known to the author. Mario C. wishes to remain anonymous.