Monday, April 26, 2010

Teacher Gets Stolen Car Back Three Years Later 'New & Improved'


By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times

When Amanda Pogany's car was stolen from her Prospect Heights neighborhood three years ago, she had no real expectation she'd ever see it again, but a surprise call from the New york City Police Department led her to an impound lot in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn -- and there was her car.

Sure, it looked different, totally different, but it was definitely her car...a new and improved version of the used vehicle her father, Peter Pogany, bought years ago.

Pogany's 1996 Honda Accord looked more like a car souped up for a drag race when she claimed it at the impound lot. The new "owner" proudly hung a Dominican flag and a crucifix from the rear-view mirror, then had a brand new V-TEC engine installed along with mounted over sized tires replete with special hubcaps; the windows were tinted and the Honda had been treated to custom valve stem caps shaped like bullet casings.

"I was like, 'I'm Jewish. I don't need a cross hanging from my window,'" said Pogany laughing. "The whole thing was crazy."

For a young teen-aged boy or a race car driver in-training, the car was a dream come true, but for Pogany, an eight grade Hebrew teacher, it was just weird.

"It was totally unbelievable. [The officer] proceeded to tell me it wasn't just my car, but it was a new version of my car, a really fancy version of my car."

Not only had the Honda Accord been drag-race souped-up, but it had been turned into a manual transmission and sported new leather interior.

Pogany, who has filed for a new VIN number and registration papers for her "new" car said, "I almost feel bad that I don't even recognize the level of which this car is capable of, but my husband is very excited."

"I think it's several thousand dollars more than it was," she added. "When they opened the hood it was just so fancy. I literally didn't even recognize it."

And she's had plenty of offers to buy the car since it was recovered, even her mailman has expressed interest.

Police came across the stolen vehicle while busting a chop shop in Queens. Although the VIN number had been filed off, police were able to trace it back to Pogany.

A car enthusiast bought the Honda from car thieves and immediately began upgrading the vehicle, sparing no expense to include the new transmission he paid to have installed when the raid occurred.




No comments:

Post a Comment

We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.

BLKUTIMES ARCHIVES