Shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Wayne Symons was on his way to his dealership, Wayne Symons Auto Sales on Division Street in Cobourg when he noticed his camper trailer was missing.
The 2011 trailer is usually located in a parking area by Buchanan Street, on the west side of Division Street.
“He called me saying “are you playing a joke on me?, said his son Dale.
“I didn’t do any jokes, “ replied Dale and soon after they both realized that someone had stolen the $18,000 trailer.
For nearly five years the camper trailer has been sitting on the property and no one has touched it – until now.
When Dale went to the scene, he easily spotted tire tracks and foot prints of the suspected thieves.
Police were called and took photographs of the area. Video surveillance from a nearby business shows the theft occurred around 9:45 p.m. on November 19.
Video shows the pickup involved may be a GMC Sierra.
Twelve hours passed since the theft and the camper trailer could have been taken anywhere.
But using social media, Dale immediately posted photos of the missing trailer and a description of the suspected vehicle shortly after police left the scene on Tuesday morning.
It wasn’t long after the messages started to come in.
“Around 8:30 a.m. I shared it on Facebook saying the trailer has been stolen. I put it on my page and the dealership web page and it just kept getting shared.”
“Around 11:30 a.m. a lady contacted us through Facebook saying it’s sitting in the Wal-Mart parking lot.”
“Another customer called me and said his mother was sitting in the parking lot watching it.”
Police were notified and met him in the parking lot.
While that was taking place, another person contacted Symons stating they saw it around 6:30 a.m. going north on Division Street, then heading westbound on Highway 401.
What drew their attention to the camper is it appeared to heavy for the pickup and was noticeably sagging.
“They followed it on the 401 thinking it was strange seeing a truck pulling it, but the trailer was to heavy for the truck.”
They didn’t think anything of it at first, but when they saw the social media post about the stolen trailer they phoned Symons.
It appears the trailer may have been dumped in the parking lot because it was to heavy for the pickup to haul.
Two propane tanks at the front of the trailer and a battery were stolen. The locks on the door were tampered with, but no entry was gained to the trailer.
Dale said social media is a great tool when used properly.
“I couldn’t believe how fast social media spreads the news. And it was good news with a positive ending.”
“It helped us out and we got our trailer back and mom and dad will be happy getting their toy back.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
