A pickup truck was stolen from outside a Reef Point Road residence in Ucluelet sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
The vehicle's owner reported the theft to police at 6:37 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan 7, according to Sgt. Jeff Swann of the Ucluelet RCMP. It was last seen parked in the owner's driveway at 7 p.m. on Jan. 6.
The vehicle is described as a black 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with a black canopy, leveling kit, large knobby tires and paint scratches from being in the bush.
Swann said the vehicle only had about a quarter tank of gas when it was taken and police have canvassed gas stations but have found no relevant surveillance at this point. He added that it may have made it to Port Alberni before fueling up.
Inside the vehicle were children’s car seats, fishing gear, a surfboard and surfing equipment, contact lenses, and a blue and silver Dakine bag with a broken zipper.
The surfboard is described as a 7’2†blue and white Stu Kenson model.
“At this point we have no suspects, witnesses, or any surveillance,†Swann said. “An investigation is still going on, at this point we don’t have any suspects but we’re actively trying to find out who did this.â€
Anybody with any information is encouraged to contact the Ucluelet RCMP at 250-726-7773.
This is the second instance of vehicle theft in Ucluelet in the past three months and Swann noted that in both instances the vehicle’s keys were inside the vehicle when it was taken. He hopes the truck's theft reminds locals to lock their doors.
“Lock your houses, lock your cars, don’t leave valuables in sight, take away that crime of opportunity,†Swann said.
“That’s sort of what this feels like, it seems that it’s a crime of opportunity; somebody is walking by and may have looked in three or four or five other vehicles until they found one with the keys in it and took off.â€
reporter@westerlynews.ca