3 northwestern Ontario vehicle thefts may be connected, OPP says

An Ontario Provincial Police officer is seen taking notes in this undated police image. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating three separate but potentially connected vehicle thefts that occurred over a 10-hour span on Saturday in northwestern Ontario –investigators have zeroed in on multiple suspect vehicles and are appealing for witnesses.

Similar methods lead police to connect incidents

“Police are currently investigating three separate incidents believed to be related due to similarities in timing and method of operation,” OPP said in a news release.

Provincial police said the first theft happened at about 12:15 p.m. on June 6 on Airport Road in Kenora. A black 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman was stolen while towing a trailer.

OPP said the suspect vehicle is described as a silver Ford F-150. While fleeing, the stolen Ram was last seen travelling northbound on Airport Road after cutting off a white pickup truck.

The second theft occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Clarence Street. A blue 2017 Seadoo Spark was stolen from a residence. The watercraft was shrink-wrapped and secured on a white double personal watercraft trailer with an unknown licence plate.

Police said investigators have identified suspect vehicles in that incident as a newer white or silver Ford F-150 and a black SUV bearing Manitoba licence plates with the rear window covered in plastic and secured with blue tape.

The third theft took place at about 10:30 p.m. on Lakeview Terrace Drive in Sioux Narrows. A black 2019 GMC Sierra bearing Manitoba licence plate LMX 653 was stolen from a driveway.

Police said officers learned that a dark pickup truck drove up to the driveway, when an individual exited the suspect vehicle, entered the victim’s truck and drove away.

“The OPP believes these incidents may be connected and is continuing the investigation,” police said.

Police seeking witnesses, footage

The OPP is asking anyone with information regarding the thefts to contact police. Police said investigators are particularly interested in speaking with the driver of the white pickup truck that was cut off on Airport Road, anyone who observed suspicious persons or vehicles in the Kenora or Sioux Narrows areas on June 6 or anyone with dashcam or surveillance footage from Airport Road, Clarence Street, Highway 71, or the surrounding areas.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.