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Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

nantucketcurrent.com

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Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#3

Post by steveBK123 »

Leaving keys in expensive cars in areas where everyone drives the same 5 luxury models is oddly common in some areas like Nantucket. It’s really jarring seeing the reminders from police there when you come from somewhere like NYC.

Reminder that the US is a blend of high and low trust societies existing in geographical proximity.

My parents still leave the door unlocked when they are home, especially if they are expecting anyone. Haven’t rung their doorbell in 25 years.

Meanwhile my condo with lobby staff, self closing & locking doors, many security cameras, etc has had break-ins and robberies ..

Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#5

Post by kjellsbells »

Wait a minute. There were two G-wagens in the parking lot, one a 1985 model and one (based on the photo) much more recent. These are $100,000+ cars. The owner told the cops the keys were not left inside. Are we saying that a random ignition key from a 40 year old car can start a 21st century G-wagen?

The kids who jack Kias for Tiktok views may just have found a new hobby.

Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#7

Post by wfleming »

kjellsbells wrote: post #5

Wait a minute. There were two G-wagens in the parking lot, one a 1985 model and one (based on the photo) much more recent. These are $100,000+ cars. The owner told the cops the keys were not left inside. Are we saying that a random ignition key from a 40 year old car can start a 21st century G-wagen? The kids who jack Kias for Tiktok views may just have found a new hobby.

The “stolen” one is a 1991 model according to the article, so not that new (just kept in immaculate condition as the photos show, I was surprised when I saw it was a ‘91), and only 6 years between the two vehicles involved. Given those ages, it’s not shocking Mercedes was using the same key patterns.

Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#8

Post by [deleted] »

kjellsbells wrote: post #5

Wait a minute. There were two G-wagens in the parking lot, one a 1985 model and one (based on the photo) much more recent. These are $100,000+ cars. The owner told the cops the keys were not left inside. Are we saying that a random ignition key from a 40 year old car can start a 21st century G-wagen? The kids who jack Kias for Tiktok views may just have found a new hobby.

[deleted]

Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#9

Post by arscan »

greatgib wrote: post #2

Now the great question is how come the same key is working with a different car ignition! And there isn't a reply for that in the article!

There was an episode of Car Talk where a caller described this exact situation. In that case, for the model in question, there were only so many varieties of keys made, so you could use your key on some other cars.

Re: Only on Nantucket: The Curious Case of the "Stolen" Mercedes

#10

Post by morkalork »

haunter wrote: post #4

In my next life I might feel bad about rich people. Not now though.

Nantucket Island is one of those funny precarious places at risk from climate change. All those rich CEOs and executives with their 2nd homes there, do they care? Do they connect the dots between the externalities of their companies and what they lobby the government for to the fate of that little island?
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