The unique electric door latches of a Chevrolet Corvette C8 humiliatingly foiled a would-be car thief in Miami Beach. Here is Julio's unique true crime story when he found a car thief sitting inside his new Corvette trying to escape. Beware, car thieves.
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What happens when you break into a Chevrolet Corvette C8, only to find yourself trapped inside with no way to escape?
You could get locked inside with no way to get out. There is only one way out if you know the trick. An Automotive News report (by subscription) says Julio Solano found a man inside his Corvette in a desperate plea for the door to be opened after coming out of a nearby Starbucks. Solano filmed the incident on his cell phone, hearing the man's pleas to let him out while waiting for police to arrive.
The incident unfolded at a parking garage on Washington Avenue and 16th Street in Miami Beach, Florida.
"My brother, this is not your car, this is my car," Solano told the man. The car thief was later identified as 33-year-old Ravesh Rabindranauth.
"Can I get out?" Rabindranauth can be heard asking, his voice tinged with realizing his mistake.
"No, you can't get out," Solano replied. "We're calling the cops."
Look at what happened to Julio in this video from the WPLG Local 10 News Youtube channel.
Miami Beach police officers arrested Rabindranauth, who was charged with burglary.
Miami Beach Local 10 News also shared on its social media X account what Julio Solano said he believes happened. While Rabindranauth managed to break into the vehicle, he could not start it or escape due to the car's security system.
"The car's electrical components don't function without the keys, and fortunately, he didn't know about the manual door release under the seat," Solano told TV station WPLG in Miami.
Chevrolet has used door release buttons instead of pull handles on the eighth generation Corvette C8 since 2020, and they used them in the previous generation Corvette. The setup has occasionally trapped owners unaware of the manual override lever in cases of dead batteries or malfunctions.
Investigators said Solano had notified the owner of Premiere Auto Miami 1, an exotic car rental company that stores its vehicles in the garage.
The Miami police said Rabindranauth was read his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with the officers. A routine records check revealed Rabindranauth had no local criminal history or outstanding warrants.
Jail records show he is facing one count of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance. He was held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was $2,500.
If you ever get locked inside your mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8, beware that the car's electrical components don't function without the keys. But you can get out using the manual door release under the seat.
Have you ever been locked inside your C8 Corvette, or do you know someone who has? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and share your story.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via SoCal Chevy
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I had unlocked my C8…
I had unlocked my C8 corvette, stepped back in house, left keys on counter, a few seconds later, i got back in my corvette without the keys. Yes, I heard the doors lock and I was locked in. I tried calling my ex, no answer, I called my neighbor, no answer. I took off my jacket because it was getting hot. I then thought, open my single roof panel. That worked, on opening the roof panel, the alarms went off, but the doors unlocked automatically.