Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: TMZ, KABC erroneously link tuner's custom Benz to VH1 murder case]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/report-news-inadvertently-attributes-mans-custom-benz-to-suspe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/report-news-inadvertently-attributes-mans-custom-benz-to-suspe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/report-news-inadvertently-attributes-mans-custom-benz-to-suspe/#commentsFiled under:



As has been extensively reported, VH1 "Megan Wants a Millionaire" reality show contestant Ryan Jenkins has been charged with murdering his wife, Jasmine Fiore. As the news story spread, celebrity gossip site TMZ reported that Jasmine Fiore's "2007 white Mercedes, with very large black rims (24") and a black roof" could contain crucial clues to the case. (Note: TMZ is also owned by Autoblog's parent, AOL. Trust us: there's no editorial affiliation.)

To illustrate the car, TMZ didn't use a picture of Fiore's Mercedes, however. The ever-careful gossip mongers instead used a picture of tuner R.J. DeVera's Brabus CLS, shod with his own RO-JA wheels. Then KABC-TV Los Angeles ran with the story as well -- apparently without fact-checking TMZ's photo source. The network ran a photo of R.J.'s CLS as well -- the same car you can see on R.J.'s Facebook and MySpace pages. GT Channel's Taro Koki saw what happened and documented it all, including screenshots of both TMZ's original post and from the KABC Eyewitness News broadcast that subsequently reused the photo of DeVera's car.

Meanwhile, Ryan Jenkins is still a murder suspect, still on the run, and the object of a manhunt in Canada. Until Jenkins is apprehended, it looks as if DeVera's going to have a hard time going anywhere in his Mercedes, since driving the car that's been plastered all over the news related to a murder case is no way to spend a couple of weeks in August...

[Source: GT Channel]

REPORT: TMZ, KABC erroneously link tuner's custom Benz to VH1 murder case originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeetcjasmine fioreJasmineFiorer j deverarj deveraRjDeveraryan jenkinsRyanJenkinsSun, 23 Aug 2009 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Reason #6,342 why manual transmissions are better than automatics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/carjacker-cant-drive-stick-returns-victims-keys/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/carjacker-cant-drive-stick-returns-victims-keys/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/carjacker-cant-drive-stick-returns-victims-keys/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ha ha ha! Look, what kind of carjacker are you if you can't drive a stick? The only one that pops to mind is Vincent Gallo's character in Buffalo 66 when he tried to unsuccessfully steal Christina Ricci's car, "I'm used to luxury cars. Have you ever heard of a luxury? That's what I drive. I drive cars that shift themselves." And that's essentially what happened when a very bad criminal tried to car-jack a nice nurse in Reno, NV.

Armed with a B.B. Gun, 23-year-old Kent Howard Boedicker allegedly attempted to jack a 57-year-old RN's Hyundai. After forcing the lady out of the car and climbing inside, Boedicker then got out and handed her the keys back stating, "I don't need these anymore." Thanks to his terrible non-existent driving skills, Reno police were able to apprehend Boedicker in a Save-Mart parking lot. Cheers to Mr. Mack for the tip!

[Source: RGJ.com]

Reason #6,342 why manual transmissions are better than automatics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CrimeCriminalsdumb criminaldumb criminalsDumbCriminalDumbCriminalsmanual transmissionManualTransmissionRenoStick ShiftStickShiftThu, 06 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rolex Series driver behind Ponzi scheme that bilked fellow drivers out of $5.4M?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/rolex-series-driver-behind-ponzi-scheme-that-bilked-fellow-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/rolex-series-driver-behind-ponzi-scheme-that-bilked-fellow-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/rolex-series-driver-behind-ponzi-scheme-that-bilked-fellow-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Henri Zogaib (pictured, right) raced for and helped support the Samax Motorsport team that raced in the Rolex Series. The support came in the form of cash and good living that supposedly came from investing in iron ore, but apparently the monies actually came from a Ponzi scheme. And as the Orlando Sentinel tells it, the fraud has unravelled, leaving fellow Series drivers like Ryan Dalziel (pictured left), J. C. France, and Eddy Hennessy among those out hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Zogaib's lure was the 38.4% return-on-investment he promised because he had a special relationship with someone at ArcelorMittal, the largest steel company in the world. His accomplice in the scheme was Paul Bellanca, a Krispy Kreme franchise owner in Florida. But after taking more than $5.4 million from investors - including $800,000 from the owner of the Samax team, Peter Baron - the authorities finally caught up and shut Zograib down.

It's easy to say these people should have known better, or at least done their homework, but Ponzi schemes still work because some people actually do make huge returns based on connections and associates. Although no arrests have been made, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has served warrants and seized Zograib's accounts while it tries to unravel what happened. That's little consolation to drivers like Dalziel, who lost nearly half a million dollars, or Peter Baron, whose team had to shut down last year after Zograib missed payments.

[Source: Orlando Sentinel | Image: Brian Cleary/Samax Motorsport]

Rolex Series driver behind Ponzi scheme that bilked fellow drivers out of $5.4M? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecriminalflorida lawflorida legalFloridaLawFloridaLegalfraudhenri zogaibHenriZogaibkrispy kremeKrispyKrememotorsportsponziponzi schemePonziSchemerolex seriesRolexSeriesMon, 27 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Three Nebraska auto execs disappear... along with 81 cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/three-nebraska-auto-execs-disappear-along-with-81-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/three-nebraska-auto-execs-disappear-along-with-81-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/three-nebraska-auto-execs-disappear-along-with-81-cars/#commentsFiled under: ,



Perhaps it began as an innocent experiment among dealer personnel: what would happen if three dealership executives all disappeared on the same day and 81 of the dealership's cars showed up at auto auctions in two other states? The answer to that question is that the FBI went bird-dogging on the hunt for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait, and General Manager Rick Covello on "suspicion of theft."

Legacy Auto Sales in Omaha, Nebraska was said to be in financial trouble. The three vanishing execs are suspected of trying to sell nearly all the dealership's inventory and then... well, at this point no one knows what they were going to do. But on Saturday and Monday night, transporters arrived at the dealership (that's one of them pictured) and began hauling cars away. When employees showed up for work on Tuesday, the higher-ups were gone and their desks were cleaned out.

The cars, worth $2.5 million, were found being sold at an auto auction in Salt Lake City, Utah, and also discovered in Las Vegas, Nevada. GM Covello apparently turned himself in. Fait was arrested in Tooele County, Utah on Wednesday, while Patch was located at his attorney's office in Utah and has probably been arrested by now. File this one under "Sounded like a good idea at the time..." Hat tip to WS.

[Source: Omaha.com]

Three Nebraska auto execs disappear... along with 81 cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedealerdealersdealershipdealershipsetcfordnebraska dealerNebraskaDealerstolenthefttoyotaThu, 12 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[New police pursuit-ending device inspired by Spiderman, squid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/new-police-pursuit-ending-device-inspired-by-spiderman-squid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/new-police-pursuit-ending-device-inspired-by-spiderman-squid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/new-police-pursuit-ending-device-inspired-by-spiderman-squid/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a walk-through of how the SQUID works

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate has been working with a research firm in Arizona that has come up with the Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device (SQUID). The SQUID is designed to safely, non-lethally stop drivers trying to elude the police.

Here's how it works. The SQUID disc is placed in the middle of the road, and a remote operator triggers a two-stage explosion when the getaway car gets close to it. The first explosion sends barbed straps flying out away from the disc, which get hooked on the wheels and undercarriage when the car drives over them. The second explosion occurs when the SQUID detects engine heat directly overhead and sends a burst of "sticky tendrils" that cling the straps to the axles and driveshaft. Within 500 feet, the axles can't turn any more and the car skids to a halt.

The key now is to make it lighter, stronger and cheaper. Last year the SQUID stopped a Dodge Ram pickup traveling at 35 mph, but authorities want to be sure it will stop an F-150 at 120 mph before they'll seriously consider using it. We aren't sure that an F-150 doing a four-wheel skid at 120 mph is the safest way to bring someone in, but it is probably better than bullets. The scientists are working on that this year, and if they get it done it could give the word "dragnet" a whole new meaning.

Check out a walk-through of how the SQUID works by clicking through the gallery below.

Gallery: Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device (SQUID)


[Source: DHS via Physorg]

New police pursuit-ending device inspired by Spiderman, squid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>authoritiescar chaseCarChasecrimedepartment of homeland securityDepartmentOfHomelandSecuritydhsgadgetsgovernmentlegalpolicepolice chasePoliceChaseresearchsquidtechtechnologyTue, 20 Jan 2009 18:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Al Unser Jr., extortion victim?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to a grand jury indictment, a New Mexico prostitution ring mastermind was trying to extort two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, Jr. for $750,000 over a videotape. Bobby McMullin, the ringleader, allegedly had an unflattering video of Unser that he promised to release to the public if Little Al didn't pay him. The racer signed a letter agreeing to pay an unspecified amount for the tape, and indeed some payments were made, but authorities don't know how much money changed hands.

Authorities also don't know - or haven't said - what is on the tape. The former racer said he made the payments because of a "morals clause" in one of his endorsement contracts that could have been at odds with whatever was allegedly on the tape. The attempted extortion happened during the 2004 season while he was with Patrick Racing, his last season behind the wheel.

Although it's unclear why Unser is connected with the defendant, Abuquerque prosecutor Mark Drebing has gone on record that it appears Little Al hasn't done anything wrong, and that Unser is listed as a victim in the indictment.

[Source: Indianapolis Star]

Al Unser Jr., extortion victim? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al unseral unser jrAlUnserAlUnserJrCARTcelebritiescelebrityChamp CarChampCarcrimeetcextortionjr.legalmotorsportsopen-wheelPatrick RacingPatrickRacingunserFri, 26 Dec 2008 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve McQueen's stolen Cadillac recovered]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/steve-mcqueens-stolen-cadillac-recovered/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/steve-mcqueens-stolen-cadillac-recovered/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/steve-mcqueens-stolen-cadillac-recovered/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A busted car theft ring has turned up a vintage Cadillac once owned by one of the Magnificent Seven. The five-finger-discount drivers out of Colorado, headed by Jeffrey Earle Piper, would steal expensive rental cars, change their VIN numbers and "sell" them. The new "owner", who was in on the whole thing, would then report "his" car stolen and collect on the insurance policy. One of the cars found among the loot: a $133,000 1959 Cadillac - looks like a Series 62 convertible - that once belonged to Steve McQueen. It's other claim to fame: a guest spot on the TV show MacGuyver. The mystery we're still trying to solve is which one of its owners put the Yeti pelt over the driver's seat? Hat tip to Derek!

[Source: Denver Post]

Steve McQueen's stolen Cadillac recovered originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillacclassicclassic carsClassicCarscrimemacguyverrental carsRentalCarssteve mcqueensteve mcqueen cadillacSteveMcqueenSteveMcqueenCadillacstolenstolen carStolenCarFri, 26 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai boss receives pardon from South Korean president]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/hyundai-boss-receives-pardon-from-south-korean-president/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/hyundai-boss-receives-pardon-from-south-korean-president/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/hyundai-boss-receives-pardon-from-south-korean-president/#commentsFiled under: ,



In South Korea, economics trumps justice. Chung Mong-koo, the head of Hyundai who recently received a suspended sentence for embezzling and bribes has -- along with 341,000 other businessmen, bureaucrats, and politicians -- been given a full pardon.

President Lee Myung-bak, who said he was "personally against" the decision, decided to issue the pardons anyway. Mong-koo wasn't even in jail, but apparently the convicted and jailed businessmen were "having problems doing business overseas." Go figure.

So on Liberation Day, in hopes that "businessmen would take the lead in reviving the economy by creating jobs through active investment and exploring markets abroad," the bad guys got gifts even better than walking papers. In South Korea, crime does pay... if you have good business sense.

[Source: Reuters]

Hyundai boss receives pardon from South Korean president originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chung mong koochung mong-koochungmong-kooChungMongKoocrimecrimescriminalcriminalshyundaikoreasouth koreaSouthKoreaTue, 12 Aug 2008 19:34:00 EST<![CDATA[11-year-old charged with DUI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/#commentsFiled under:

Last week in Orange Beach, Ala., a police officer spotted a speeding Monte Carlo, threw on the blue lights and started an 8-mile, 100-mph chase that ended with the Monte upside down.

With his gun drawn, the officer says he approached the car to find an 11-year-old girl behind the wheel. Sorry, an allegedly drunk, slightly injured 11-year-old girl behind the wheel.

Orange Beach assistant police chief Greg Duck wouldn't say what the girl's blood alcohol level was, but did say it was higher than the legal limit for adults, .08 grams per milliliter, and much higher than what state law allows for anyone under 21, which is .02 gpm.

We're baffled. First, that an 11-year-old can see above the steering wheel, much less reportedly pilot a Monte Carlo at 100 mph. Second that she is accused of being drunk while doing it. And third, that Alabama has a blood alcohol limit for minors.

Wow. Just wow.

[Source: Press-Register]

11-year-old charged with DUI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedrunk drivingDrunkDrivingspeedingSun, 08 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Further idolatry: Looking to TV and movie stars to learn respectful driving]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/02/further-idolatry-looking-to-tv-and-movie-stars-to-learn-respect/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/02/further-idolatry-looking-to-tv-and-movie-stars-to-learn-respect/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/02/further-idolatry-looking-to-tv-and-movie-stars-to-learn-respect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Because they're such stellar role models with cutting, well-educated insight on all matters, we should follow the lead of our favorite television and movie characters when on the road. We've been so impressed by the well-informed and thoroughly considered stances that many movie and television stars have taken that we hang on their every word, awaiting the eventual revelation of the meaning of life. They're on TV, so they must know, you know? That Ed Begley, what an automotive authority he is. Who hasn't wanted to emulate the drunk starlet as she cruises through life thouroughly self-absorbed? Sarcasm aside, UK-based Motorists' Forum is suggesting the use of television and movie stars, as well as atheletes, to deliver positive messages about road safety.

The premise is that sports figures and popular characters are so well known in people's homes that they're almost like surrogate family members. Because of the familiarity, the feeling is people will pay attention to an embedded message about driving respectfully and raise awareness of poor and antisocial driving practices. They go on to link criminality to seriously bad driving and suggest rewarding responsible behavior behind the wheel. We don't know why, but suggesting we look to people who are yessed to death and insulated from the real world for cues on how to behave in the real world doesn't impress us. We Autobloggers have always been self-thinkers, though. For those that don't see the problem in looking to unqualified, well-known stars for life tips, we can't help you. Babies outgrow spoonfeeding quickly, there's no need for adults to return to the practice.

[Source: Motorists Forum via AutoExpress]

Further idolatry: Looking to TV and movie stars to learn respectful driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athletescarscrimecriminal drivingCriminalDrivingdrivinghollywoodrespectroad rageRoadRagestarsFri, 02 Mar 2007 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[All your license plates are belong to us: System developed that scans plates on the fly]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/13/all-your-license-plates-are-belong-to-us-system-developed-that/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/13/all-your-license-plates-are-belong-to-us-system-developed-that/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/13/all-your-license-plates-are-belong-to-us-system-developed-that/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bad guys beware, there is new technology that will hunt you down and have you singing the jailhouse blues faster than ever before. Harnessing the power of computers, the ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition System) allows police to be far more efficient, by no longer relying on just their sharp set of human eyes to spot suspect vehicles.

There are three cameras fitted to a police vehicle -- marked or unmarked. In the video after the jump, the vehicle is unmarked, and by just driving down the road, every plate from oncoming traffic, and cars on the side of the road (or the next lane), is logged and analyzed. There's also a side-facing camera which comes into play when cruising parking lots. The system can handle up to 3,000 plates a day, and by making it a passive activity, it turns nabbing bad guys into something akin to playing the lottery.

The system can be anywhere and everywhere, from stationary systems to car-mounted mobile units, there is no hiding from the long arm of the law. All an officer needs to do is drive around. With the system keeping an ever-vigilant watch on all the plates and comparing them with a database of suspect plate numbers, police time is freed up, so they can go about protecting and serving. Heck, while on their way to another call, they may just get lucky and pass a vehicle that "hits", turning it into a bonus score for the day.

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

Video after the jump

[Source: mobilemag]

Continue reading All your license plates are belong to us: System developed that scans plates on the fly

All your license plates are belong to us: System developed that scans plates on the fly originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automatic license recognitionAutomaticLicenseRecognitioncameracrimelicenselicense recognitionLicenseRecognitionperpetratorpolicesafetyscannerstolensuspectunlicensedTue, 13 Feb 2007 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



We debated on posting this because we always seem to get nailed in the comments for advertising a new way to break the law, but we feel it's important information for Mazda3 owners and we're encouraged by Mazda's reaction to the situation so far. First the deets: it appears that a few owners of the Mazda3 have come back to their vehicles to find their valuables missing but no visible signs of breaking and entering like shattered glass or broken locks. The only clue left by thieves is a big dent in the front passenger door. Canadian website MobileMag.com got the skinny from an anonymous Mazda dealer that if one hits the passenger door hard in just the right spot it will affect the lock assembly mechanism and unlock the doors. Mystery solved.

Mazda has been aware of and working on this issue since October of 2006, and this month it began installing a "countermeasure" in all Mazda3s being built in Japan. For those who have already had their cars broken into, in some cases Mazda has agreed to install a reinforced door lock assembly and a protective plate to prevent the same break-in from happening again, though it has not offered to repair the dents. At this point, Mazda does not consider this "trick" a defect in the product and it hasn't decided whether or not all Mazda3s will be called back to have the countermeasure installed.

We think they should be voluntary called back and have the countermeasures installed. While a thief will get into your vehicle one way or another if he wants to, being able to do it without smashing glass or looking terribly suspicious makes the Mazda3 a much more tempting target. Still, no one should leave valuables out in the open and give criminals a reason to target your vehicle.

Thanks for the tip, Rich!

[Source: MobileMag.com]

Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>break inbreak-inBreakIncrimecriminallock assemblyLockAssemblylocksmazda3stolenthievesunlockFri, 19 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[$450K show car gets Grand Theft Auto treatment: $5K reward for return]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/5-000-reward-for-info-leading-to-the-recovery-of-chocolate-thu/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/5-000-reward-for-info-leading-to-the-recovery-of-chocolate-thu/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/5-000-reward-for-info-leading-to-the-recovery-of-chocolate-thu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's one thing when thieves outside a 7-11 nab your winter beater. It's another whole thing when low lifes hijack your $450,000 vintage 1937 Ford convertible show car along with the 1999 Ford F350 and trailer in which it was being transported. This one-of-a-kind vehicle nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" and built by Rad Rides By Troy for a private owner and was being transported to an auto show in Quebec City earlier this month when it, the truck and trailer were stolen from a hotel parking lot.

The shop has put up a $5,000 reward for anyone able to provide info that leads to the return of the vehicle. Everyone is hoping the vehicle is returned in one piece, though Brian Ferguson of Rad Rides fears the car attracts so much attention that the criminals may destroy it to avoid detection.

[Source: Inside Line; Oilstick]

$450K show car gets Grand Theft Auto treatment: $5K reward for return originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1937 Ford Convertible1937FordConvertibleChocolate ThunderChocolateThundercrimecriminalgrand theft autoGrandTheftAutotheftthieverythievesThu, 20 Apr 2006 17:11:00 EST