Lorenzo Cabrerra/A series of sudden and unexpected events

So a few weeks ago, my truck was stolen. I came home from work at about 5:15 p.m. and parked where I normally do. It was there when Matt got home around 6 p.m. Then we went out to do some errands around 7 p.m. The funny thing is that I don't remember if my truck was in its spot then or not. It's something you just assume will always be there. I parked in our apartment building's parking lot. Where I always do. I have an affinity for a certain spot in which someone has scrawled (most likely with a Sharpie) in jagged lightning-bolt styled letters "KILL WHITY" (spelled just like that). I think this is hilarious. Often Matt and I fight over the spot and if I'm not parked in it, he probably is.

We got home at 9 p.m. As we pulled into the lot, I noticed my truck was missing. I first questioned if I actually drove it home, but I totally remembered parking it... So okay. This is a new experience. I was pretty stunned. Matt found the non-emergency phone number for the Phoenix PD and I called to file a report. An officer is on the way. In the meantime I call my insurance company. I do not have comprehensive insurance and therefore none of my loss (whatever it may be) will be covered by them. The woman is nice, sympathetic.

The officer comes and takes the report. He is also nice. He informs me that they have my car. Apparently, it was pulled over earlier in the evening. For suspicious behavior. It has been impounded because the guy driving it did not have a license. In Phoenix, when you are caught driving a car with a suspended/no license, your car is automatically impounded for 30 days. They didn't know he was driving a stolen car at the time it was impounded. The officer asks me if I know a "Lorenzo Cabrerra." I do not.

He gives me all the paperwork that comes with making a police report and being the victim of a crime. I thank him. He leaves.

Twenty minutes later, he calls to say that Lorenzo Cabrerra is in custody. I guess when they pulled him over and confiscated my truck, ol' Lorenzo had some drugs on him. The officer tells me he is going to the jail to add the stolen vehicle charge to the list of offenses. This all seems to be happening so fast. Matt does some research on Phoenix car theft. I guess they usually only recover about 9% of stolen vehicles. I am trying to grasp feeling "lucky" right now.

The officer calls again. This time to ask the name of my husband, the guy I'm living with. My boyfriend, I ask? Matt. The officer tells me that Lorenzo says that a guy named Jerry lives in our apartment building and gave him the keys to the truck to pick up someone. Lorenzo had a set of what they call "jiggle keys." These are filed down keys made for stealing cars. They can be forced into an ignition, and used to start the car. My truck is 14 years old and a prime candidate for this. I tell him I don't know a "Jerry." Nor do I have an extra set of keys just lying around. Damn you, Jerry.

That's the end of the phone calls for the evening. I get a ride to work the next morning. I feel vulnerable and annoyed but also amused by the whole turn of events.

To make a long story short, I spend a few days of the next week at the Phoenix PD trying to get my truck of impound since I didn't do anything to put it there. I have to attend a "hearing" which is just me telling my side of the story so they have documentation. I have to do deal with a lot of bureaucracy and almost have to pay a $150 administration fee for all this. They wave the fee since the car, while not reported stolen at the time of impound, was stolen at the time given the "jiggle keys." I get my money back. I spend about 4 hours there, total. It is painful, exhausting and irritating. I feel hamstrung as a citizen, disempowered and voiceless as a victim of a crime. I keep trying to imagine how much worse it'd be if I didn't have resources like friends to drive me to work, an understanding employer who lets me take all this time off to get this right again, good language comprehension skills, no children to pick up, a partner to share expenses with... The list goes on.

I finally get my truck out of impound, though I had to pay the $25 towing fee and $12/day storage fees, total: $113.00. It has been pillaged to the utmost. When all is said and done, there have been about $2000 of damages done in the short time Lorenzo had it in his possession. My car is not worth that.

As a result of all of this, I have made the choice to give up having a car. I have been walking to work-- which we thankfully live close enough for me to do so reasonably. We are going to break our lease and move. For the 4th time in less than a year. This new place is in a nice neighborhood even closer to work and a much more aesthetically pleasing walk.

It has been a ridiculous turn of events which lead me to choosing not to buy a new car. I don't drive that much and Matt's car is new and dependable. I have always felt that a car signified independence. I got a great deal of comfort from the safety in knowing I would always be able to get away if the situation warranted it. I have felt strongly about this since I can remember. I think that the combination of living in much more urban environment and being in a healthy, longterm relationship have helped me in letting go of this mindset. We have been talking marriage for quite awhile now so I know full well where this relationship is going. I enjoy walking to work and Matt picks me up in the evening or I get a ride with someone else. Things could be much worse for me.

I feel empowered in my decision where a few weeks ago; I felt angry, scared and victimized. I am lucky to live in a part of the city where walking to work is feasible and safe. I am independent again. I am doing something proactive for the environment. I have also been thinking about my attachment to Things. While I wouldn't recommend getting your car stolen, but suddenly losing things sort of checks your priorities. I know that I am in a place where I am able to have this perspective while not being overcome and burdened with the inconvenience and I'm not going to lie, it still totally sucked. I don't like doubting the safety of my home, my loved ones, my things, the integrity of my neighbors. But both Matt and I are safe, I will recover and things will be okay. And while I'm not going to thank Lorenzo, per se for this bit of light at the end of the tunnel, but maybe he has the capacity to look at his series of choices and do something differently as well.

Just as soon as he gets out of jail.