Mr. Luo, a resident of Rowland Heights in Los Angeles County, recently encountered a shocking experience when he discovered that his car, parked along the roadside, was missing. All that remained was a shattered window on the ground. Once the vehicle was located, it was in a heartbreaking condition, with just one tire left intact.
“I left my house around 5:30 a.m. that morning,” Mr. Luo recounted. “It was a clear morning, and I was excited to go outside and see the comet.” Having parked his car on a small street near his home for the past seven years, he was initially bewildered by its disappearance. “At first, I wasn’t sure if my car was really gone,” he explained. But the sight of the broken driver’s side window quickly dispelled any doubts, confirming that his car had indeed been stolen. Following a neighbor’s suggestion, he promptly reported the theft to the police, who arrived by 8 a.m. to investigate and take his statement.
Mr. Luo’s vehicle was an Infiniti G35, a Japanese brand he regarded as a reliable car. He speculated that its appeal might have made it a target for thieves—possibly due to a black market demand for its parts. On the day of the theft, he had seen a post in a neighborhood Facebook group about three other Infiniti cars that were stolen overnight, each a different model.
Later that evening, around 8 p.m., Mr. Luo received a call from the police with news that his vehicle had been recovered. The next morning, he hurried to the tow yard, only to be devastated by what he found: his car was severely damaged, with only one wheel left intact. The wiring beneath the steering wheel was exposed, and the car refused to start, unresponsive to the electronic key. Important components had been stripped, and personal items—including letters and a backpack that had been stored in the trunk—were missing. “Nothing particularly valuable was in there, but some sentimental items from my late mother were taken,” he said with a heavy heart.
Given the extensive damage, the car was declared a total loss. Unfortunately, Mr. Luo only had “partial coverage” through his insurance, which meant he would have to bear the financial burden himself. Despite the vehicle being over ten years old, he took pride in how well he had maintained it, making the loss even more disappointing.
As a longtime resident of Rowland Heights, Mr. Luo voiced his concerns about the increasing safety issues in the area. He had heard reports of other cars being stolen from nearby parking lots but never thought he would fall victim to such an experience himself.
