I realize I am off the thread a bit, but this is a strange coincidence.
I live in Iowa. I was in Austin, Texas for New Years. While I was there my car was robbed and at first I thought that the only things I thought I had lost were an LED headlamp and some change.
When I got home several days later, I realized that the thief had also taken my passport, but that is another story.
I am assuming you are from New York, but if you were in Austin for New Years, then perhaps there is a car thief running around taking things from one car and leaving them in another.
I didn't find any booty in my car though
Peace,
Irving