(submitted photo/Crystal Barden Facebook)

By Nicole Reis

Stolen Truck

Public cautioned to park cars in well-lit areas

Feb 26, 2020 | 1:55 PM

A Meadow Lake business owner is the victim of a brazen theft after his truck was stolen in front of surveillance cameras earlier this month.

Trevor Barden, owner of Garfunkel’s restaurant, told meadowlakeNOW he was serving a steady crowd the evening of Feb. 19 before discovering his truck was stolen.

“The officer told me not to get my hopes up as they were likely not to find my truck,” he said.

Barden’s vehicle was a black 2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty with Saskatchewan licence plate 188 JYQ. He said he learned the car is commonly stolen by jamming a screwdriver in the ignition.

“It was locked and they keys were in my pocket. It only had 80 kilometers left in the tank because I hadn’t filled up with fuel yet,” he said.

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Upon looking at business surveillance footage with an employee on Feb. 25, Barden saw a vehicle at the property around 10 p.m. He said the car dropped off the alleged thief and waited in the parking lot for an additional few minutes before leaving. Barden said he saw one person get into the truck before it took off.

“It’s just property, he said. “I’m sure police are busy with more important things.”

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Rob King said thieves may steal vehicles for many reasons. Most commonly he said thieves target vehicles for joyrides, to transport stolen property or to scrap it for parts.

“We wouldn’t know even know the details of that until they’re recovered,” King said.

King said newer cars are becoming harder to steal than previous years and stolen vehicle numbers are starting to drop.

Meadow Lake RCMP officer Sgt. Stephen Hurst said police will investigate property theft based on what information is given to them at the time.

Ford began installing standard anti-theft devices in their Super Duty trucks as early as 2006.

The public is reminded not to leave valuables in vehicles and ensure they are locked and parked in a well-lit area.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722