1996 Ford E-Series Van steering wheel locked, ignition damaged

1996 FORD E-SERIES VAN
120,000 MILES • 5.7L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHRISYLIS999
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  • 1 POST
Hi
Somebody broke into my only work van stole my tools and damaged my ignition trying to steal it. On top of breaking two windows to get in.
Looks like they tried to start it with a screw driver. So now I have got it so the key will turn in the ignition but the steering wheel won't unlock and the dash does not power up, circuit does not complete to fire the starter.
Wheel and column and transmission selector are all locked.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. The Holiday Inn lot where it was parked says they are not responsible and I have simple liability insurance. So I'm out 5K in tools and stuck in this lot here in portland oregon.
Thank you so much to anyone that can help!
Christopher
Apr 12, 2015 at 6:02 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 110,175 POSTS
That isn't good news. Chris, the tumbler that was damaged is connected to a switch on the column. The switch that it moves actually is what turns everything on. My guess is that it was damaged. That means things need taken apart to check what happened.
Apr 12, 2015 at 7:22 PM