DENVER (KDVR) — A metro area man’s car was stolen while his family was getting ready to go to church, but he located the vehicle thanks to a Facebook page with thousands of followers.
The father of two does not want his name or location released.
He tells FOX31 he was getting his kids ready for church when his wife alerted him.
“We put our jackets on and at the same time the car was pulling out of the driveway,” he said.
The family was left in a state of shock in the driveway.
“It’s hard not to feel like I need a new car, I don’t have the money for a car,” she said.
While searching online for home security tips after a burglary, the man found a Facebook page called “Colorado Stolen Cars.”
“I went down six pages and there was my license plate and everything,” he said.
The post showed his green 2017 Subaru Outback with a note saying it was seen south of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal near 56th Avenue in Denver.
The homeowner shared the information with police and officers picked it up.
“They stole the window and stole the frame from the car,” he said.
The damage, worth $5,000, must now be repaired before he can resume using the car.
The Facebook page, which has more than 40,000 followers, connects those looking for missing vehicles with those who find them.
“You have forty thousand eyes looking for your car and the community, this society, has come together to create a better system,” he said.
The man added that it is time for victims to do more to help each other and it sends a strong message to those who want to commit crimes.
“For the individuals who deal with stolen cars they find it funny, for the individuals who are stealing cars it affects a lot of people’s lives in ways you can’t imagine, and that’s not okay,” he said.
Police warn that theft victims should never attempt to recover a stolen car on their own, but instead file a police report so experienced law enforcement officers can investigate and safely recover the property.
To prevent theft, you should keep your car locked, park in well-lit areas and remove valuables.
