It wasn't the surprise Alex Kim was hoping to unveil on Christmas Eve. Thieves ripped a hole in his convertible and tore out his car seats.

"They cut it open with a box cutter or knife," he said. "I'm definitely angry, but my initial reaction is they're car seats, you know."

So why would someone go to all the trouble to steal car seats?

It's because they're Honda S-2000 seats – sporty ones that are worth nearly $5,000 each.

That's a $10,000 loss for Alex.

"What makes these seats so valuable… they fit into other Hondas - Civics, Accords, Acuras, Integras… and a lot of kids like to hook those up and make them fast and what not ," said Alex.

And he's not alone. On one Northwest Honda forum Alex belongs to, other members share their stories.

"I know in the last couple of weeks at least three or four... and if go through the whole year, maybe 50 or more," he said.

Alex says the stolen seats end up on Web sites such as Craigslist.

We found a posting for "rare seats" selling for hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

"We're trying to let people know, if you see seats like this, don't buy them," he said.

Alex knows he may never see his car seats again, but hopes to shed some light on this crime.

And he has a message for the thieves:

"Be like the rest of us and work your way for it instead of taking the easy way out."

Alex has filed a police report and his insurance plans to cover most of his loss, but so far they have quoted him just $2,000 for "used Honda seats."

source: King5.com

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