DETROIT — I have been traveling down to Detroit all of my adult life without a single problem.
That all changed at 11:50 p.m. on July 31.
For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know most of this story, but here is the entire ordeal.
My brother Dave and I were concluding a wonderful long weekend that saw us travel to Cleveland to see the Indians and White Sox, along with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The thrilling finish was getting a chance to see music legend Sir Paul McCartney at Comerica Park.
Dave and I are veterans when it comes to navigating inside and out of Comerica Park. About five years ago, we discovered a nice free parking spot just off of Brush Street - only a few blocks from the ballpark.
Like we had literally 100 times before, we found a spot that would have us back on I-75 less than five minutes from the time we made it back to the car.
This time, though, it would take a little longer than five minutes to head home.
As we neared Comerica Park, I remember commenting that the Ford Field lot was charging $35 for parking. Dave and I both scoffed at the price, knowing how easy it was to park where we did, and the hassle we wouldn’t have to deal with.
Looking back, I would have paid $135 to park there.
The concert (the best I’ve ever seen) finally got done after three encores. Needless to say, spirits were high as we walked back to my car.
As we made the turn off of Brush on to Division Street, we spotted our first sign of trouble. A group of guys was standing outside of their SUV, which was parked right behind my car.
At first, we thought they just wanted to keep the party going. However, they were unable to get into their vehicle because the locks had been tampered with.
Still, I didn’t give it much thought, and was especially relieved when my lock worked.
That’s when Dave alerted me that my passenger side window had been broken. For a moment, I was angry about the window, but then made the discovery that my camera, laptop and iPod had all been stolen.
None of these items were in plain sight. The laptop was actually buried, but the camera bag, which looks like a backpack, was behind the driver’s seat.
Keep in mind, between Dave and I, we have parked in that very spot at least 100 times without incident. We had no reason to think this time would be any different.
Some people have tried to make the point that it was a concert. My contention is I’ve parked there for the MLB All-Star Game, Motor City bowls, Lions games, Tigers playoff games and even WrestleMaina without a problem, so I really don’t think the event had anything to do with it.
Still, the damage was done.
The laptop and iPod were things I would miss, but could be easily replaced. The camera was the Tribune’s, which put me in a bad spot.
But the missing item that brought me to tears was the lens that belonged to my late friend Chris Ogryski. Since his death, I have been trusted with that lens. I’m as proud to use it as he was when he bought it.
Every time I go to an event, it’s my piece of Chris. But at that point, some random person in Detroit had it, doing who knows what with it.
Finally, after walking back to Comerica Park to plead with a police officer to help the guys that couldn’t get in their SUV, we got a report filed.
It was one of the longest rides home in my life. I felt angry, violated, confused and embarrassed. Embarrassed, because I should have known better, but I was arrogant.
The rest of the following week was spent finding replacements for everything that was lost. As for me, I was covering the Huron Community Fair with my backup lens.
On Friday, Aug. 5, nearly a week after the events of Sunday night, I was finally coming to terms with what happened. I was starting to let go — and lose hope that any of my items would be recovered.
I returned to the office that night to get photos in for Saturday’s paper. Before I got to that, I checked my voicemail, and once again, my life changed.
On the line, was the voice of Al Lewis, who lives in Roseville.
The same night my car was vandalized, now, into Monday morning, Al’s car was stolen from in front of his house.
As luck would have it, Al’s car was recovered somewhere around Six Mile Road. Al is a golfer, and he checked to make sure his golf clubs were still in the vehicle, which they were.
But there was an added bonus. At first, he thought it was a bowling ball bag. Once he opened it, the bag contained my camera and all its contents. Because I have business cards in the bag, Al was able to contact me.
He called the office and left me the message. As I listened to the message, I couldn’t believe it.
In fact, I still don’t believe it. My camera bag was swiped near Comerica Park, but somehow found its way in the back seat of a car that was stolen in Roseville and recovered miles away from there.
I am indebted to Al Lewis for reuniting me with most of my stolen items. I have used the camera and lens many times since they have been returned. Each time, I am amazed by the journey they had.
This was a tough lesson to learn, one that luckily has a happy ending.
First, secure your valuable items in your trunk when you can. It may seem like common sense, but it’s something I took for granted until this happened.
Second, pay the money for peace of mind. There are plenty of secured lots around the Comerica Park/Ford Field area. I found one, with three attendants on duty just off of Woodward Ave., for just $10.
In the end, I don’t blame the thieve(s). I presented them with a target, and I paid for it. I can promise you this: It will never happen again — and I hope it never happens to you. That’s why I shared this story.
Thanks to my wife Kelly, my mom, brother Dave, mother-in-law Donna Chumbler, Jill Ogryski and of course Al Lewis. These people were all instrumental helping me through this ordeal. I cannot express how much their actions mean to me.
Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune. You can contact him at (989) 269-6461, padams@hearstnp., or follow him on Facebook.
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