Mike on Crime

By Kevin Rollason
Winnipeg Free Press

The owner of a downtown auto dealership victimized by a vehicle theft is glad no one was hurt in the incident.

And Brent McNaught, owner of the Brent McNaught Automotive Centre, at 634 Portage Ave., said he’s also pleased his business has good neighbours.

“We’re very grateful that we’re not talking about any casualties,” McNaught said on Wednesday, just hours after a 24-year-old man allegedly made off with his company’s customer courtesy van, a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander.

“We’re just as grateful that some neighbours called the break-in to 911 so quickly and that police responded so quickly.”

Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Blair Good said the man broke into the business on Wednesday at about 4 a.m.

Good said the man found the keys with the van and drove off with it.

While driving north on Sherbrook Street, at Portage Avenue, the van collided with an eastbound semi-truck.

Good said while leaving the vehicle, the man threw the van into reverse, causing the vehicle to back into the nearby McDonald’s Restaurant.

Two large cracks more than two metres in length could be seen on a section of the brick exterior.

Good said no one was injured in the incident.

“It happens all the time that businesses leave keys in vehicles,” the officer said.

“Businesses like that should have their keys locked up.”

Good said the damage to the two vehicles, the auto dealership and the restaurant is in the thousands of dollars.

Good said the man will be charged with break and enter, theft over $5,000, and various driving charges including driving while disqualified and leaving the scene of an accident.

McNaught said he will be discussing with his staff the best place to put keys to vehicles in future.

“The keys were inside the vehicle, but this is a very secure building,” he said.

“There’s a whole series of things the guy would have had to do.”

A large smashed gaping hole could be seen in the glass in the side door of the dealership.