Maybe I'm jaded, and please don't take this as victim blaming, but why on earth would you not put that much gear in the trunk rather than leaving in a seat!?
Thx for explaining calmly! Was hesitant to post, but your case was too outlandish not to ask. So many SF friends have been bitten, some repeatedly, and I just can't fathom why someone wouldn't use their trunk, especially after having their laptop stolen twice in a month!
It's one of those mistakes you only make once in life. Now I wouldn't even dream of leaving my backpack in my car in my relatively low crime city that I previously never would have given it a second thought. It's a little sad that my entire world is now less trusted because of this invasive incident.