'I was amazed': Wheatley business baffled how 800-pound ship propeller gets stolen
Hike Metal has added more security since a $20,000 ship propeller was stolen, while Crime Stoppers is still looking for tips on possible suspects.
The Leamington OPP Detachment received a report of a break and enter that occurred at the ship building facility on Milo Road on Sept. 9. Police determined that multiple individuals entered the fenced in property on Thursday Sept. 5, between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday Sept. 6.
Hike Metal president Steve Ingram said he was surprised such a heavy item could be taken.
“I was amazed actually. I mean, it's anything up to, or over 800 pounds,” said Ingram. “Unfortunately, we saw it on a pallet near the fence. They had to cut a hole in the fence to get to it.”
Police say the suspects then proceeded to remove a propeller from the property. A small sedan pulling a small trailer was observed in the area at the time that investigators believe to be involved.
“Suspects entered the area in a beige colored sedan pulling a small box trailer. The box trailer was, separated from the vehicle. The vehicle parked across the street. The suspects pushed the box trailer to the fenced area. They cut a hole in the fence, and they slid the large ship propeller onto the box trailer, push it back to the vehicle, hooked up, and, left the area,” said OPP Const. Troy Roberts with Crime Stoppers.
Roberts said it would likely be sold for scrap.
“It's a custom ship propeller that's being produced here. It was produced here for a shipyard in Toronto. It has absolutely no use to anyone outside of someone in the shipping industry,” said Roberts.
The propeller is described as bronze, approximately 50 inches in diameter with a Serial Number 1346 R 1064 and is valued at approximately $20,000.
Ingam said they have beefed up security since the incident.
“We've added two extra cameras in what we believe is the blind spots and we're looking at other areas to make sure that we have full coverage,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing by the Essex County OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU).
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation, can call OPP at 1-888-310-1122.If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal MP endorses 'robust caucus discussion' about whether Trudeau should still lead the party
Amid mounting pressure from within the Liberal caucus for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider stepping down as party leader, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says there should be 'robust' conversations on the topic.
Man sentenced, ordered deported for killing woman, injuring 2 others in Surrey, B.C.
A Metro Vancouver man will spend up to four years in prison before he is deported after pleading guilty to a triple stabbing that left his sister-in-law dead and two others, including a two-year-old girl, seriously injured.
Thousands of cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems
When you go through the chore of cleaning your home, you hope the end result is a safer, healthier environment for you and your loved ones. But some of the products you are using might put your health at risk.
Rufus Wainwright calls Trump's use of 'Hallelujah' cover the 'height of blasphemy'
Rufus Wainwright says he was 'horrified' to learn that Donald Trump played his cover version of 'Hallelujah' during a presidential campaign event in Pennsylvania on Monday.
90 charges withdrawn against father and his common-law partner in Edmonton child abuse case
Charges have been withdrawn against a man and a woman who faced a combined 90 charges in a child and animal abuse case.
Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, survey finds
While more Canadians are signalling their support former U.S. president Donald Trump, the majority remains hopeful for a Democratic win.
Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list.
Stricter regulation of candidate nominations a 'complex space': PM's chief of staff
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's chief of staff says there's no simple answer to bolstering the integrity of political nomination contests.
Canadian teen wins second place in international neuroscience competition
A Winnipeg high school student placed second in an international neuroscience contest where she competed against nearly 3,000 other students from 40 countries in Chicago, Ill.