American Z Line AZL Theft

ztrack Aug 10, 2011

  1. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Hans Riddervold, one of the owner's of AZL, has asked that I pass the word along. Hans had a suitcase stolen from his rent-a-car in Los Angeles. A number of AZL items were in the suitcase including a number of unreleased products. The list of stolen items includes:

    GP30s:
    2 x SP (with black fuel tanks)
    1 x SSW
    1 x UP
    1 x DRGW
    2 x WC
    2 x NYC
    2 x GN

    Bay Window Cabooses:
    CSX
    WC
    Milwaukee
    NS
    UP
    RI

    Autoracks (6 units)
    Quite a few (probably 6 singles)

    1x Illinois Central SD70M

    Please keep an eye on auction sites for these items. Also, for our train friends in LA, watch for individuals trying to sell these trains. Again, they should be easy to spot since most have never been released and are basically one-of-a-kind products at the moment.

    Thank you for your help!
    Rob Kluz
     
  2. zyousoon

    zyousoon TrainBoard Member

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    I sorry for terible news. I hope you is able to get the briefcase with trains back. The crook were probably expecting money or computer in suitcase and when saw the AZL trains thought they were not worth anything. I cross fingers for you and hope you will get back.
     
  3. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Rob, make sure that all the local LA area shops are also aware.
    .
     
  4. RobertAllbritton

    RobertAllbritton TrainBoard Member

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    Now you know how hard it is for me to get prototypes back from Hans. I have to fly to LA, hack into the hertz system to find his rental car, stake out the airport parking lot, and wait for him to go get a latte before I can pick the lock and get the samples back.Whew! But all in a days work here at AZL...But don't worry, I've mailed his underwear back to him by way of China, so there will likely be a 3 to 6 month production delay before he sees it again.;-)
     
  5. kimvellore

    kimvellore TrainBoard Member

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    Damn hope the crooks will be caught. If you can post pictures of the models esp the unreleased ones we will have a better chance of identifying it...
    Kim
     
  6. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rob,Can't imagine how bad Hans must be feeling about now. Could you share what part of Los Angeles this happened? I doubt the thieves would go to a hobby store to sell, but checking local pawn shops might be a better choice.James
     
  7. zfuture

    zfuture TrainBoard Member

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    Except for the prototype SD70, everything else is replaceable. It happened just below the Griffith Park Observatory where my sister in law lives. Someone marked the car earlier in the day and a crew broke in using an electronic device to open it. Also lost was a 3 months
    supply of Kona coffee.
     
  8. MrCONRAIL&BNSF

    MrCONRAIL&BNSF TrainBoard Member

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    No but really thats horrible, what kind of person wouldn't return it after knowing it was nothing of value to him. I'f I stole a breafcase and saw there was no money or jewls in it I would return it to a police station and say I found it. Thats messed up. I'll def keep an eye out for the rare protos.
     
  9. Alaska Railroader

    Alaska Railroader TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow, that would never enter my mind to think "if I stole...", whatever
    Sorry Hans, this has to be difficult for you. Hope you get your stuff back and justice is served...
     
  10. RailBaron

    RailBaron New Member

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    bummer man :(
     
  11. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    Hmm, I live very close to that area (Los Feliz). That's a nice part of town too (Which makes it a target for thefts). I can see the observatory from my front lawn. They probably thought it was something else...Will look out for sure. Maybe check Craigslist too.
     
  12. JR59

    JR59 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hans, I'm sorry to hear that story, I hope they will find the Theft or the Stuff.
     
  13. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    The stuff will probably turn up, as it's stuff you can't easily sell without being recognized, but catching the thief is the hard part. I like baseball bat justice myself! ;)
     
  14. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    That sucks I will keep a eye out for this.............
     
  15. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes Robert, the bat technique is quite effective, however I find it much more amusing and entertaining if you just nail one foot down and put gas on the other foot and light it and then watch the guy get wound up... :eek:)
     
  16. bnsf971

    bnsf971 TrainBoard Member

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    A thing I'm concerned about is, after jimmying the lock on the suitcase and finding "only toy trains" and nothing of value, it would just get chucked in the nearest dumpster, never to be seen again.
     
  17. MrCONRAIL&BNSF

    MrCONRAIL&BNSF TrainBoard Member

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    That came out so wrong, i didn't mean it like that. I would never steal anything IDK why I said that. I just miss worded it. I hope you find it. I was really looking forward to the new AZL trains

    Hans did you contact the authroities? if its an internal job call the rent a car company and speak with the boss and inform them it was an inside job. They def thought there was money or something of great value in the case. I don't think they would be as stupid as to put them on ebay. Atleast not for a year or so when it dies down. I'm going to get to work with my Detective skills for you. I'll try to get it back for you and catch these obnoxious crooks!!!!! Not fair hans not fair at all brother.
     
  18. MRL

    MRL TrainBoard Member

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    It's probably in a dumpster or swimming or someone could have mutilated the case just for sport, like the kid in toy story...
     

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