There has been an odd rash of thefts across the region this summer involving pick-up trucks. Police say the thieves are after tailgates.
At Jackson’s Toyota in Barrie, employees are making sure the tailgates on pick-up trucks are locked every day and the ones that don’t lock are put in a secure spot.
The cautious move comes after tailgates were stolen from six pickup trucks at the dealership earlier this summer.
“It’s disappointing and it angers you because you have to deal with it,” said general manager Greg Jackson. “At the end of the day it’s costly and it does nothing for anyone except raise our insurance rates.”
More than 40 tailgates have been reported stolen off trucks at dealerships in southern Ontario since the beginning of July. That includes dealerships in Barrie, Stayner, Orillia and Huntsville.
“The only thing in common is the actual tailgates themselves,” said Acting Sgt. Lynda Cranney with the OPP. “Some of them have cameras on them; some of them are lockable, all different makes and models.”
Tilgates are not worth much at the scrap yard, but can be expensive brand new.
Tailgates are often the first item that needs to be replaced. Newer models are often equipped with rear cameras. A base model can cost as much as $1,200 through a dealership.
Tailgates are also one of the easiest parts to steal.
While most new model pick-up trucks come with tailgates that lock, the older models don’t.
Mechanics suggest if a tailgate doesn’t lock, the owner should back-up their truck close enough to a wall or fence so the tailgate can’t open all the way.
