>While I defend the right of a vehicle owner to treat it as s/he wishes, I
really hate to see a vehicle trashed.� 

Could be the previous owner was the 'aware one', or maybe it was that guy
and he's fallen on hard times along with 70% of the rest of the world. At
least he's out there and (apparently) working. Perhaps you could have
introduced yourself, told him about the list and let him know that there is
a community to which he can turn for support. Perhaps he and his van could
benefit from the information.

Cya,
Robert