Central Alberta car dealership facing thousands in damage after break-in
A car dealership in Rocky Mountain House is dealing with tens of thousands of dollars in damage after a thief stole a pick-up truck from inside the building.
Last Tuesday at approximately 1:40 a.m., RCMP received an alarm call from Edward’s Garage Chevrolet dealership, located in Rocky Mountain House. The dealership owner, Brent Kennedy, was at home asleep, but rushed to his business.
“When I went inside, I could see that there’s a pick-up truck that was no longer there, and that the RCMP were doing their investigation,” Kennedy said.
The theft was caught on surveillance video. It shows a Dodge pick-up truck, which was allegedly stolen out of Red Deer, approaching the main doors of the dealership and nudging them open.
“We’ve had previous thefts,” Kennedy said.
“But, I’ve never had a vehicle that was used to break into our building before.”
Once inside, the thief is seen rummaging through the front desk area until he finds keys to a vehicle. The person then proceeds to walk towards the main doors expecting that the keys are to a vehicle that is parked outside. However, the remote keys turn on the lights for a pick-up truck parked inside the building, a new GMC Sierra. He then gets into the truck and drives through the exit doors.
Once outside, video appears to show the man load up gas cans from the previous truck into the new GMC Sierra and drives off.
Rocky Mountain House RCMP later located the stolen GMC Sierra on Highway 11 and attempted to stop the vehicle. However, the driver failed to stop for police. Police then used a tire deflation device in the area of Swanson and disabled the pick-up truck which was empty. The RCMP Police Dog Service and Rocky Mountain House RCMP officers later located and arrested him.
Waylon Daniel Whitford, 27, is facing multiple charges related to the incident:
- Break and enter commit theft
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Possession of stolen property exceeding $5,000
- Mischief over $5,000 (x2)
- Flight from police
- Operate conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public
- Operate a conveyance while prohibited
- Possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public
- Resist arrest
- Fail to comply with conditions of release (x8)
- Break and enter commit theft
- Mischief under $5,000
Police say Whitford was released from police custody, hours before the incident at Edward’s Garage Chevrolet, following a judicial hearing related to another investigation.
“Why was he let out of jail?” asked Kennedy.
“He just turned around and perpetrated another fairly substantial crime.”
Kennedy estimates close to $50,000 in damage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.