West Nipissing OPP are looking for the occupants of a white truck involved in an early-morning theft at a local boat and motor dealership on June 22. In a release, the OPP called on the public for any information after they “responded to a theft of an outboard motor from a business on Front Street.” According to police, “sometime in the evening hours after April 21, unknown person(s) attended a secured area on the property in a white pickup truck and removed a 115 hp black 2024 Mercury outboard motor.
The store in question is ASM, on the corner of Front and Nipissing Streets in Sturgeon Falls, and owner Eric Renaud is also appealing to the public for help. He explained that the theft, caught on surveillance video, occurred between 2:30 am and 2:45 am and involved a “white truck seen coming off Church Street with tailgate already open and just a few minutes later exiting with the tailgate closed. We have footage of them entering the premises in between Home Hardware and ASM (…) They removed a section of fence and had tools to remove the bolts quickly.”
According to Renaud, the culprits had made an earlier visit, presumably to scope out the place. “They were caught on camera on foot with flashlights a few hours earlier just after 12 am but not clear enough to identify any details or clothing,” he rued. “The motor weighs about 360 lbs so this was done by several culprits.”
Just a couple days later, another incident had Renaud raging and offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest of the culprits targeting his store. “They came back either Saturday or Sunday night and had all the bolts loose and cables cut ready to steal a 150HP [motor] this time. Even though we completely blocked the entrance accessing the rear of the building, my guess their plan was to access their truck from the train tracks. Luckily they weren’t successful,” Renaud asserted. “The audacity of these thieves is appalling!”
The OPP is urging anyone who can assist in identifying the individual(s) involved in the theft or possession of the stolen motor to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000. Ref.# E240798785.
