'Very cool customer': Edmonton-area RV thief had security stickers, flashing light on truck
Almost $500,000 worth of RVs were stolen from a pair of Edmonton-area dealerships in recent weeks and there is suspicion that the same person took all four of them.
Security footage from Vision RV in Acheson early Sunday morning shows grinder sparks flying while someone cuts the lock off a gate.
The person leaves for a while, presumably to make sure no security or police respond, before returning to take a $120,000 fifth wheel.
"He came back, opened up the gates. He went right over the fifth wheel, backed right up to it, and took it away," Dealer Principal Larry Ricci told CTV News Edmonton.
Video shows the thief returning later that night to grab another RV worth nearly $150,000.
The white pickup used in the crimes had a flashing amber light on the roof and a black and white "security" magnet on the driver's side.
Ricci believes the person driving it was the same man who came in the day before and had a salesperson show him the trailers that were stolen.
"This uh, this wasn’t his first rodeo," Ricci said. "Very cool customer."
Word of the thief's flashing light went off like a lightbulb for Victor DaSilva. He owns Outback RV in Sherwood Park.
"On Nov. 19, 10 or 10:30 in the evening they breached our property, came in, and took a customer unit," DaSilva said.
That trailer is worth about $100,000. A brand new fifth wheel of the same value was also stolen from his lot, DaSilva said. A light-coloured pickup with flashing lights was captured on Outback's security video.
"When we seen these flashing lights and we heard about the Vision episode, we thought hey, it’s got to be linked together," DaSilva said.
RCMP are working the case and the RV Dealers Association of Alberta has issued an alert for the two Acheson RVs that were stolen.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.