Calling all kiwi cruiserheads - Help find stolen BJ42

[lostmarbles]

Well it's 5.30am kiwitime and here in New Zealand we are already into Wednesday 2 June. So for those of you who won't experience today till tomorrow ..... don't get excited. She's just another wet sh#tty day. (It must be so hard for you folk living a "hand-me-down existance" though.

I think I could already post so much about this search to make this thread "the biggest stolen motor-vehicle search story EVER" (in this little country at least) ..... but it is hard to find the time.

Today I will meet Bart in Tennyson St (where his vehicle was stolen) and we are going to walk around it together. Apart from anything else, There is a block of apartments there that Bart wants to "leaflet drop". (He's already spoken to one fellow who was on his balcony in Tennyson St for most of the night when Hohepa was stolen!) But most of all we want to get our heads around how such a classic vehicle could be taken from there without being observed (and reported). - It was locked and only left for about 4 hours (right in the heart of Wellington City) - Very little fuel was in the tank and the fuel door was locked (so we are obviously contacting filling stations). Tennyson street is a quiet side-street with "nothing in the way of thru-traffic". Bart lives about a thousand kilometres away so his vehicle is unlikely to have been followed-for-theft. No glass was on the road to indicate a break-in. And the PO lives in Auckland which is what ,,,,,,,,600kms away. (Sorry I'm thinking out loud now.)

Lots to do today.

Lots of you folk already know that I drive buses here in Wellington for a living:



So I have around 200 workmates with their eyes on the road for at least 8 hours of every day. I already have one flyer (or is that spelt "flier") up on the wall at work but today much better ones will appear on all the noticeboards (boldly showing Hohepa and his licence plate details).

Sorry ... The last picture was actually just a feeble attempt at humour. (That's really a museum bus.) Here's what i drive in Wellington today:



If I can work out how, I'll even link a television film clip to this thread. ....."CloseUp" is a prime-time "news and current affairs" slot on a leading kiwi TV network and they've already run some details of bart's story. Mark Sainsbury - the presenter of the show - is actually an ex-workmate. (And if he ever hops on my bus I'll have to give him a test-drive and see if he's still competent. LOL)

My very own BJ40 will be in Tennyson St this coming Saturday night (exactly 2 weeks after the theft) and parked as close as possible the exact same spot. And it will be there for the same hours Hohepa was, with my son and I handing out flyers to every passerby we can.


My BJ40:


We also plan on using my wagon to search tracks in the rugged Tararua Ranges and any media cameras wanting to come along for the ride are more than welcome to do so. This is purely a selfish offer of course because the general-public are our eyes in this ... Bart is constantly receiving apparent-sightings from all over the country and we need to keep up the level of public-alertness. (Actually we want to EXPAND on it.)

Our conversations are constantly being interupted with his cellphone going off!

 

[lostmarbles]

How's this?



These posters will appear on my work noticeboards today.

Any other kiwis wanting to help ...please pm me or txt me on 027 ####### (Please don't ring because I drive for a living and I'll lose my job if I try answering a call while driving.)

If you txt me your email addy I can then send you a file (prob next day) so you can print off your own posters for your workplace (or anywhere else you want to put one).

Help teach those people who stole this cruiser a lesson they'll never forget!!!!!



PS. I promise to advise followers of this thread immediately I learn the vehicle has been recovered/located (so you don't need to worry about wasting your time trying to help when the vehicle may have already been recovered).

 

[lostmarbles]

OK. Wanna see some film footage from TVNZ's CloseUp program?

http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/help-find-missing-4wd-3571288

Go straight to Chapter 3 for the cruiser theft story.

(Mike Hoskings was apparently hosting the show that night rather than Mark Sainsbury.)

Much of the filming was done on "Red Rocks Road" which is on Wellington's south coast.

 

[lostmarbles]

Oh. If you scumbags who stole this BJ42 are reading this and wondering what else Bart and his supporters can do.... I'll tell YOU there's a LOT more.


But I don't really want to talk to lowlifes like you anyway... I'll get back to addressing all those dedicated cruiser fans who make ih8mud what it is.....


Already this morning I've contacted my mate Mark (another Mark who lives just a few doors down). I personally handed him some of my "search pamphlets". BTW - He owns a nice red chevvy-powered FJ40 and I understand he's a member of both the "Wellington Cross Country Vehicle Club" and the "Valley 4WD Club". So hopefully those pamplets will reach out to members of those clubs (who spend most of their spare time wheelin the regions 4WD tracks).

And I've contacted my mate Jason in Christchurch. He's the dominant/leading seller of used 40-series parts on Trademe.co.nz (which is the kiwi-equivalent to eBay). I'm sure he'll pass on my "alert" to his network of contacts in his very specialised portion of the wrecking industry. (He now has Hohepa's "chassis number" and "Engine number" details.)



On we plod

 

[amaurer]

That video is blocked outside of NZ - can't watch here.

Amazing, though, the resources you guys can muster. Good for you, naturally, but a single stolen truck would never make the news here. Maybe the Always Blow on the Pie fellow cleaned up all the other crime on your island already?
YouTube - Police Ten 7 - Safer Communities Together.

Can't you find a few buddies to hold hands across and just walk from one end of the country to the other - surely you'll bump into it?

 

[lostmarbles]

That video is blocked outside of NZ - can't watch here.......

Damn. TVNZ won't allow me to download their video either. (Perhaps I can get Bart to ask them to make an exception here.)

...Can't you find a few buddies to hold hands across and just walk from one end of the country to the other - surely you'll bump into it?

Edit: But people in New Zealand can still see the video via this link above

 

[Hohepa]

Thanks everyone for your support on this. Really hope that this doesn't happen to anyone else out there. Just want my Truck back and the things inside

 

[lostmarbles]

I get a number of cruiser-fans from the States sending me PMs from time to time about their plans to emmigrate to my country (New Zealand). And they often even enquire about where they should consider settling and about the "quality of life" here.

Well, walking with Bart yesterday around Central Wellington and talking to passersby and business owners in the area where his truck was stolen ..... I've come to the conclusion that I haven't been entirely honest with these enquirers about crime in this country.

The area where Bart's truck was stolen is in fact a "bed of crime" where residents in a brand spanking new apartment block are getting their vehicles broken into in so-called "secure private parking". And vehicle thefts and breakins are common.

Yesterday an autoelectrician in Tennyson street assured us that there are thieves operating here who are well and truly capable of taking Bart's vehicle on a spur-of-the-moment-basis (despite it having been locked and angle-parked in a busy area and despite it being a difficult-to-start-diesel) quickly and without attraction attention. (He reckons the scumbags exude confidence\ownership ..rather than attracting suspicion ...when they work to get them going.)

Another business-owner in Vivian St (a keen 4x4 enthusiast who it was a pleasure to talk to) was sure it would now be in the hands of someone local who wants its parts for their own vehicle (or similar story).

Truth is ..... there is a LARGE proportion of people in New Zealand who:

• are into crime directly themselves
• are happy to receive stolen goods
• are happy to associate with people that they know are involved in crime/receiving etc.

And the attitude of some of the authorities is laughable.

The Wellington City Council for instance recently spent ratepayers money on getting my city classified officially as "a safe city". (Completely meaningless and complete nonsense!)

Meanwhile my workmates are being assaulted and robbed on a regular basis. (Two violent robbery attacks on bus drivers in the same spot in Wellington within the last 2 months alone ... just as a "for instance".)

I myself was robbed in Central Wellington (in a jam-packed Courtenay place) on a Friday night and as I lay on the ground holding onto one of the culprits (who was incidentally struggling and busily emptying his pockets of my stolen coins while his mate kicked me in the head) ..... I heard the passersby whispering things like "we should help" ..... but none of the bastards ever did ...so I eventually let the guy go! (The perpetrators were never found/charged of course.)

I was also robbed at knifepoint in Mirimar .... another suburb of Wellington that has seen multiple attacks on busdrivers.

And I'm just one Wellington bus driver!

(These 2 robbery incidents are both on record with Wellington Central Police for any doubters.)

So the truth is ...My country (New Zealand) is full of crime with a widespread attitude of not only acceptance - but involvement.

End of rant. (But I'm sure to rant again soon........)



PS.
Bart has to head back to the Far North tomorrow but I'll keep goin on this in Wellington in his absence.

We accept that this crime (the theft of his BJ42 and his possessions) is not BIG within the whole picture. But to someone obsessed with diesel 40-series cruisers like me ..it has "touched a chord".

This weekend .... Queens Birthday Weekend ... there is a "Kiwi 4x4 Challenge" at Rallywoods in Wellington. I can't attend the Saturday competition trials ... because that's already booked (and I'll be handing out leaflets in Tennyson St etc). But on the Sunday I'll be at Rallywoods spreading the word about Bart's stolen BJ42 again (amongst 4x4 enthusiasts).

Fellow Kiwis ...Please think hard before you become pals with anyone who sources stuff on the blackmarket. And please don't be friends with anyone who has dodgy principles (ie who LACKS principles). And above all ...dob in anyone who profits from the suffering of others!!!!!

Yesterday Bart and I put up a number of fresh posters .... And most of these were INSIDE business premises (taped to the insides of their windows).

Bart feels a little ashamed that his feedback (reports of sightings nationwide) is probably exceeding what the police would get in one of their many serious missing-person cases. The world sure is "topsy turvey". ( Hell ..... I probably wouldn't even want to help Bart if his stolen cruiser had been an FJ40 instead of a BJ42! )

And lastly ...I'm sure Bart would love to see messages of support appearing in this thread (even if you can't help).

 

[John McVicker]

Indeed I can not help....but I would be major bumed if unfortunate enough to be in Bart's shoes. And I mean this in a way of support.

I purchased my 40 new in June of 1975...certainly a part of the family...as I am sure Bart's was. And hopefully will be again. You guys are certainly putting forth a full court effort. Good luck.

John

 

[lostmarbles]

Hi folks.

I'm scaling down my other activities on MUD while I concentrate on this.

The help from everyone has been tremendous and Bart and I are most grateful.

We have both tried to join/login to offroadexpress (which is the foremost 4x4 website here in New Zealand) but a problem (connected with new members joining and long-absent members returning) prevents us.

But thanks to my mate Jason (I think) .... this thread has just appeared on offroadexpress:

Offroad Express 4wd Forum | OffroadExpress 4wd Forum


Bart's worn out and gone home for a while to perk-up (in his humble-abode in the bush in the far north). So his cellphone number (given on that poster in the offroadexpress thread) probably won't work just now.

But people with information can still either contact the New Zealand Police or ring me in Wellington on #######.

If I'm not home there's still likely to be someone here to take a message. And I'd even welcome anonymous tip-offs or suggestions. People can also txt me on 027####### - but don't actually ring me on this number because answering the phone while I'm driving can cost me my job (or worse LOL).

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Being thousands miles away,in Germany and soon in my homeland Greece,I can only say good luck to Bart.
I would also congratulate Tom(Lostmarbles)for his solidarity to our brother in need.
Unfortunately crime is everywhere,even in places considered as "safe". They're right those who say it's time to take measures to protect our 40s ( and ourselves).
Best wishes!

Mits
-----
1984 BJ42,as original as possible!

 

[lostmarbles]

Thanks Mits

Also thanks to the following Wellington businesses for agreeing to putting posters in their shop windows for us.
Union Hardware - Riddford St
Wellington Towbar and Bullbar Services - Vivian St
Shrodoco/Tony's - recently moved from Tory St to Abel Smith St
Trades Hall (Wellington Tramways Union) - Vivian St
Motor Units Wgtn Ltd - Autoelectricians - Tennyson St
Rainbow books - Riddiford St
Go Wellington (my employer) - Onepu Rd and Lambton Quay premises

There are others too so apologies for not being better organised and for missing out their names.

It is so nice to have honest people around who are quite rightly outraged/sympathetic with Bart's plight.

 

[DeLux]

hey mate, did you post this on Outer Limits 4x4 Board :: Index ?

It's the Australian hardcore wheeler site, perhaps if the cruiser turns up across the ditch it might be identifiable...

 

[lostmarbles]

hey mate, did you post this on Outer Limits 4x4 Board :: Index ?

It's the Australian hardcore wheeler site, perhaps if the cruiser turns up across the ditch it might be identifiable...

Thanks Delux

We'd be very grateful to anyone raising the alert on websites on your islands (the far side of the ditch).

We want to cover all possibilities no matter how likely or unlikely they may be.

 

[lostmarbles]

Another $130 worth of stuff to make more posters:



Our obsession tends to make us try to ignore what we spend on our cruisers. Just imagine losing yours to a thief! What would you spend to try and get it back? What lengths would you go to? Or would you just "rollover" and let the bastards get away with it?

This morning I was told Bart's stolen laptop (that was inside Hohepa) went online again briefly! Our fingers need to reach out and strangle these scumbags. (Literally if at all possible!)

Lambton Quay (a street known to almost all kiwis) contains Wellington's "Golden Mile" where retailers pay big dollars (in leases) to take advantage of the high pedestrian traffic volumes.

We now have posters (as you can see) INSIDE these windows at the main "rail/bus interface" where thousands of people pass each day and where many people stop and wait for buses:



Of course I have posters on my work noticeboards too and I'm in the process of distributing them to late-night shuttledrivers (who often take me home after work). On and on it goes...........

 

[lostmarbles]

As a sidetrack .... bus driving today is much easier than it used to be in the past. (The "new chums" don't know how lucky they are.)

Look.... We even have a little TV set on the dash to watch nowadays:



And there's a camera outside the bus and to shoot the video for that screen.

Now it took me a l-o-n-g time to figure this out but I think it's there to help me play the game that some of us never get bored with.

Looking in the left mirror (to get the "door-closing-timing" right) at passengers running up the pavement used to appear so obvious to those already on the bus. But now we can covertly play this game using that little camera and screen. CHOICE!

But back on subject.............advertisers have always taken advantage of the fact that bus passengers are a "captive audience". Now it is our chance to do the same:



I never read the normal stuff that's dumped in there. - Probably just "The next meeting of the Wellington Cat's Protection League" or similar. (At least I'm now putting it to good use eh?)

 

[lostmarbles]

Now I'm not stupid...

Where's the best place to put a poster to capture a guy's attention eh?



Research has shown that a bus driver's brain in more receptive to capturing images during urination.

By the way....this is my mate Greg. He's an escapee from the big island on our left. (Yep. He's a dinkum Aussi complete with the accent too.)

Actually he confided in me after the photo shoot that he's always wanted to be a male model. So I told him I'm giving him his "big break" because this pic will be viewed internationally! (I have his contact details for those agents who're interested...)

There were others in the toilets at the time ... and I did ask permission to take photos. (Which got a lot of weird looks I have to admit... so it would probably have been better if I'd followed my usual practice of "covert photography" there.)

 

[lostmarbles]

Lots more flyers/pamplets to print now.

Tonight we'll be spending hours in Tennyson St trying to jog memories, talking to people, and recording any relevant information that comes to hand.

And tomorrow is all day at Rallywoods

Thanks for the support ....tremendous. (There could even be a magazine article arising from all this but that's not at all definite yet.)

........Whatever it takes to achieve greater chances of Bart recovering what's been stolen from him and of the culprits being brought to justice!

 

[amaurer]

Looks pretty good from this angle.



The sign too.

 

[skidplate]

Greg's Aussie accent? I thought Kiwis and Aussies had the same accent. Here in the States everybody advertises everything on the sides of busses. I know squat about NZ regulations, but wouldn't it be awesome to post your poster on the side of that big bus? Good luck with your search. Prayers are with you guys.