Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
CTV News went back out to the scene on Wednesday to get to the bottom of it.
The cars are being removed from the water to make room for a new development. However, it’s still unknown how and why they ended up there.
According to Peter Berry, harbour master, said each vehicle is linked to some form of criminal activity.
“Oh the curiosity kills you,” said Helmut Bruce, a bystander watching the action.
“Take a look at them. What’s there? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. You think, ‘what’s in them?’ That could be scary sometimes.”
Bystanders watching cars being retrieved from the Detroit River in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 9, 2024. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)
Berry confirmed 10 vehicles were recovered on Tuesday, ranging in age from 1987 to 2021.
“We did recover a construction trailer as well,” said Berry. “This morning (Wednesday), we went magnet fishing to see if we can identify more and we believe we’ve identified an additional six vehicles.”
He confirmed since each car is linked to criminal activity, each needs to be investigated accordingly.
“We do have a vehicle, we found the keys in it and personal belongings in it,” he said.
“It could be stolen and they’re taken it for a ride for a while, using it in other crimes, and dumped it in the water.”
The Windsor police Auto Theft Unit is investigating. Police confirmed with CTV News that at least two of the recovered vehicles were previously reported stolen.
The privately owned slip of land will potentially become a place for some to call home.
Crews at work, retrieving abandoned cars from the Detroit River in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 9, 2024. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)
“They’re planning for a 250-unit condo here with a pool, amenities, possibly a marina going in here,” said Jordyn Warkentin with Warkentin Fabricating.
Construction for the building is expected to start next year.
Bruce, however, remains fascinated with the stories that lie below the water.
“There are probably another hundreds [of vehicles] somewhere along the riverbanks along Windsor, Amherstburg, Kingsville,” he said. “They’re probably just filled."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Donald Trump
The U.S. Justice Department on Friday disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Donald Trump, charging a man who said he had been tasked by a government official before this week's election with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect.
Canada rent report: What landlords are asking tenants to pay
Average asking rents declined nationally on a year-over-year basis for the first time in more than three years in October, said a report out Thursday.
N.S. school 'deeply sorry' for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony
An elementary school in the Halifax area has backed away from a request that service members not wear uniforms to the school's Remembrance Day ceremony.
48,584 space heaters recalled in Canada after burn injury in U.S.
Health Canada has announced a recall for electric space heaters over potential fire and burn risks, a notice published Thursday reads.
Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam. The violence was condemned as antisemitic
Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, Dutch authorities said Friday. Five people were treated at hospitals and dozens were arrested after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe.
'Big frustration': How a limited MAID window affects Alzheimer's patients
A move by Quebec to allow a person with a serious and incurable illness like Alzheimer's to request MAID months or years before their condition leaves them unable to consent has been met with praise, confusion and criticism.
Winnipeg teacher who faces voyeurism charge now accused of sexually assaulting former student
A Winnipeg teacher previously charged with voyeurism and a number of other offences has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a former student.
Beyonce leads the 2025 Grammy noms, becoming the most nominated artist in the show's history
Welcome to Beyonce country. When it comes to the 2025 Grammy Award nominations, 'Cowboy Carter' rules the nation.
107-year-old temperature record among dozens broken across Canada
Canadians are experiencing a wave of warm weather across multiple provinces well into the fall season, shattering dozens of temperature records.