Not to Hijack but Stu your situation is the exact reason I would never live someplace with a HOA or Covenants.
My brother in law used to live in a condo that had a Nazi HOA. He was checking the oil in his 68 High Country Special Mustang and one of the asshat board members came down and told him there was no working on cars in the lot and especially on an old "junker" like his. The BIL said he wanted to drop the guy, especially considering his HCS is immaculate, 100 percent original, unrestored and on the national registry.

The gift wrapped trash is great but I can think of some other "Presents" to leave a thief. Like a Rattlesnake or the spider from "Arachnaphobia". A "gift" from the aforementioned 150# dog perhaps.

Thieves suck.