USU student says thief took more than her car


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WEST VALLEY CITY — A Utah State University student says her life has been turned upside down after her car was stolen Friday.

Tammi Seamans also said the criminal got away with more than her car and her life has been turned upside down.

“I’m in a really bad place now. I don’t have most of my stuff. Most of my stuff was in that car,” Seamans said.

Seamans attends USU and spends her weekends in Salt Lake, where she has family and a job.

“I had not even gotten a chance to come home and drop my stuff off, so I had all my stuff with me,” she said.

On Friday evening, she gave a friend a ride to the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City.

“I was helping a friend pay a phone bill,” she said. “I came out and my car wasn’t where I left it.”

Seamans said she left her clothes, which were in bags, in her blue 1993 Honda Civic hatchback, license plate number Y75 3GN. Under the seat, out of plain view, was her brand new laptop and a backpack with her ID and debit card.

Seamans, who’s attending USU on a full scholarship, said study materials for her finals next week are gone.

“All of my books, all of my notes from class, from the whole semester of lecture. I have cumulative finals, so I need this information and it’s all gone,” she said.

Seamans says the crime happened in the evening. There were no cameras in that part of the parking lot, but it was still light out.

“I didn’t see any broken glass. I’m assuming that someone had a Honda master key,” she said.

Investigators with the Division of Motor Vehicle Enforcement say cars are stolen every day, but the so-called master key is a myth. They say experienced thieves know how to use simple tools to steal cars.

“With basic tools, they can break into the car rather quickly, and once they get inside the car, it’s usually less than 60 seconds. They get in the ignition and drive away,” said Charlie Roberts, spokesman for the Division of Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says 1990s model Honda Accords and Civics top the list of stolen cars.

Investigators say that’s partly because they lack sophisticated anti-theft devices. Often, the parts are sold because they’re worth more than the vehicle.

Investigators say people should park cars in well-lit areas and install alarm systems or use a steering wheel lock device.

The Division of Motor Vehicle Enforcement says last year, investigators recovered more than 500 stolen cars.

Seamans hopes police will find hers too.

“I don’t have a way to get to work now. I have bills to pay and can’t because someone thought they deserved what I’ve worked for more than me,” she said.

If you have any information about the theft or the whereabouts of the car or property, you can call West Valley City Police at 801-840-4000.

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