Xof1 solar car team victims of theft in New Orleans
Marcelo da Luz and his team, world record holders for the furthest distance traveled in a solar-powered car, have had their share of ups and downs on their journey across North America in the Xof1 (Power of One) solar car. At one point, the car was even mistaken for a flying saucer with little green men aboard. Sadly, after making it all the way to New Orleans, Louisiana, driver Marcelo da Luz was robbed of passports, laptops, credit cards, cash, a digital camera and a portable hard drive.
The loot was removed from the crew's support van, which also suffered a broken window and a smashed door lock in the robbery. All told, the losses are estimated at around $10,000. To his credit, da Luz is taking the setback in stride. "I don't hope anything bad happens to whoever did this or anything, " he said. "I just hope their lives turn out better so they don't need to do this to anyone else." The team plans to continue heading east down the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and into Florida.
Gallery: Xof1 Solar Car
[Source: NOLA.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yikes 9:25AM (4/29/2009)
Never take your personal car, or valuable belongings to the Chocolate city(Mayor Ray Nagin's term for the city).
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Luke 9:30AM (4/29/2009)
"I just hope their lives turn out better so they don't need to do this to anyone else."
They "needed" to steal? How much better do their lives have to turn out to prevent that? I've worked with the poof for years, and I can tell you that none of them "need" to steal.
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Luke 9:31AM (4/29/2009)
"poof" = poor
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Tohe 9:46AM (4/29/2009)
It is good they have a positive attitude about it. I too thought it looked like a flying saucer lol.
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jharlan 10:22AM (4/29/2009)
I don't think there is any doubt they are headed for prison. Not all crimes are solved, but nearly all criminals keep doing it until they are caught. I hope something bad does happen to them before they victimize any more law abiding citizens. How many times does one have to get mugged before he wakes up!!!
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Doug 10:59AM (4/29/2009)
To me, the worst part is the loss of whatever data they've collected. Did they have it backed up somewhere?
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LaughingTooHard 12:07PM (4/29/2009)
After the crime has been done, it is nice to see someone try to put it all into perspective.
Yes, it is a violation and a criminal activity but, no-one was hurt and nearly all that was taken can be replaced.
As I listened to the clanking of glass as people sorting through the recycle bins last night, I caught myself thinking "Why?" "How desperate?"
Yes, there are people so desperate they are walking the streets sometimes with their children in tow looking for that extra $10-20 in bottles and cans.
Sadly, more than likely the perpetrators in this case may have been nothing but greedy. If not, then the statement "I just hope their lives turn out better so they don't need to do this to anyone else" is very gracious and a welcome attitude in a time of everyone wanting recovery for themselves without wondering if anyone else has is worse off.
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Tyler 7:07AM (4/30/2009)
This happened in Louisiana?
SHOCKINIG
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