Cash for culprits
By Kyra Hoggan
Trowelex is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a recent theft of a White Ford F550 truck valued at roughly $60,000.
The theft was part of a larger stealing spree that saw almost a quarter million dollars’ worth of merchandise stolen from locals, including a private residence, Brandt Tractor Ltd. and White Contractors Ltd. Those burglaries, in turn, are part of a larger series of thefts that have taken place over the course of years – Trowelex owner Kevin Chernoff has had the same truck stolen twice, as well as the one recently taken, not to mention other equipment and materials worth tens of thousands of dollars.
“I don’t know if people understand that this impacts the whole community … whether you’re a Trowelex customer or not,” he said. “It increases insurance rates and ups our costs, which means we have to increase our prices. Chances are, you patronize at least one local business that patronizes Trowelex, so everyone is impacted by this.”
He said he’s sure the perpetrators aren’t local – just as he’s convinced there’s a local person helping them out.
“Who we’re really hoping to get is the person in town who has been spotting for them,” he said. “This (theft) happened the day after – just ONE day after – some of the equipment arrived here. If they’re coming here with a shopping list, then obviously someone’s watching our businesses and telling them what’s available.
“When they see we have what they need to fill their shopping list (police believe they already have buyers lined up), they can come here and quickly get what they need and leave.”
Police say they think it’s a very organized crew with a very specific agenda coming from a different centre just to commit the crimes.
Should anyone have further information, they are encouraged to contact the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
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