Barrie police is investigating after heavy equipment was stolen from two job sites in the south end of the city.
Police began their investigation on Friday March 3rd after a front end loader was stolen from the parking lot at 35 Mapleview Drive West. Investigators believe the theft happened sometime overnight.
The loader was located the next morning at Salem Road and Veteran’s Drive, but the front end plow had been removed before it had been abandoned.
Then on Monday March 13th a CAT front end loader was stolen from a job site on Welham Road. Employees found the loader the next morning at the Huronia Medical Building.
Police have released surveillance video that shows a male suspect walking into the yard, starting up the machine and driving it away.
Further surveillance shows the same vehicle driving between where the loader was stolen and where it was abandoned to pick up the driver. When located, the front end forks were missing from the machine and video from the building shows the loader driving in with no forks attached a short time after it was stolen.
When located, the front end forks were missing from the machine and video from the building shows the loader driving in with no forks attached a short time after it was stolen.
Investigators believe the two incidents may be connected and the suspects may have a similar machine.
Police said it’s possible the suspects have a business or residence in the area as the large machines are moved quickly between locations.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Barrie police or Crime Stoppers.
