The RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance after tires and rims from three 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel trucks were stolen from the St. Albert Dodge dealership last week.
Between the hours of 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Jan. 20, unknown individual(s) entered the back storage lot of the St. Albert Dodge dealership, which is accessed from St. Albert Trail between the Boston Pizza and Husky gas station.
Motion-activated video cameras captured footage of the suspect vehicle but didn’t show the site of the theft, said Tony Heimbecker of St. Albert Dodge.
Based on what was left behind at the scene, he surmised that the individuals put four jacks under one truck, loosened the bolts and let air out of the tires before taking them. They placed four pieces of wood under the axles and let down the jacks. They followed the same procedure with two other trucks, leaving the jacks behind after finishing with the third truck.
“(There is) no doubt about it, they knew exactly where they were going and what they were doing,” said Heimbecker. “They came prepared with their jacks and everything. In fact, the blocks of wood he used to keep these vehicles up in the air, he brought with him.”
Heimbecker noted that all three trucks had wheel locks and the suspect(s) broke in through the truck windows and stole the key from inside.
The total value of damage and loss of the stolen property is estimated to be more than $18,000.
“It’s important for dealerships to report crimes like this even if it happens once,” said Const. Yelena Avoine of the St. Albert RCMP, noting that theft of rims and tailgates from Legal Motors Ltd. in Legal was reported at least twice last year.
St. Albert RCMP is looking for the public’s help to identify the individual(s) involved in this theft.
Anyone with information can call the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
