It’s the story of a group of people who didn’t know each other, but who accomplished what the Montreal police considered impossible: finding a stolen vehicle in record time.
Posted at 1:03 a.m.
Updated at 5:00 a.m.
What there is to know
For a rare time, a stolen vehicle was found in Montreal.
Its owner had launched a viral appeal on Facebook.
The SPVM recommends that drivers install an anti-theft device.
And these are not detectives, but gastronomy lovers.
“The police told me that one in 10,000 stolen vehicles in Montreal was found, and that I was wasting my time,” says Perle Morency, the owner.
It all started last Thursday morning, when Mr.me Morency, a restaurateur from Kamouraska who was in the metropolis on business, realized that her 2023 Toyota 4Runner van parked on the 8e Avenue in Rosemont had disappeared.
“I was nervous about parking my vehicle downtown, or in Old Montreal. But in a quiet neighborhood like Rosemont, I didn’t expect that,” she says.
Practically new, the vehicle was used for gourmet excursions in the forest with clients from Côté Est, the wine bar she owns in Kamouraska.
“This is a very rare edition vehicle, with vintage stickers that are easily noticed,” she says.
A call to everyone on Facebook
Thursday morning, Mme Morency therefore called the police officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), who said they would come see her. In the meantime, she published a post on Facebook.
SCREENSHOT OF FACEBOOK
Perle Morency published this post last Thursday after her vehicle was stolen.
“Hello Montreal! I just had my 2023 4Runner stolen. As you can see, it is quite recognizable… You never know! “, she wrote, also publishing a photo of the vehicle. Immediately, his post began to be republished.
After four hours of waiting for the police, Mme Morency decided to go to the neighborhood police station.
[Les policiers] told me that 30 Toyota vehicles are stolen every day in Montreal. I could see that they weren’t upset about it. I told them people were looking on Facebook, but they said I was wasting my time.
Perle Morency, restorer of Kamouraska
In the meantime, the post was republished on Facebook. Comments were piling up under the post. People told him they would keep their eyes peeled.
Normand Laprise, chef of the restaurant Toqué! and native of Saint-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska, printed the photo of the stolen SUV and pinned it on the employee bulletin board of his restaurant.
“My restaurateur friends were starting to look for my van,” says M.me Morency.
Reports are flying
People started sending him pictures of the 4Runner. Someone wrote about seeing an SUV that matched the description in Mile End. But stickers applied to the rear of the vehicle did not match.
“People thought they would see my van on Île d’Orléans, in Stoneham, in the Laurentians…” says Mme Morency.
Among the reports, many people suggested he give up.
The consensus was that my van was already in a container at the port of Montreal, on its way to Libya or Iraq. But I am a positive person in life. I figured there was a chance someone would find her.
Perle Morency, restorer of Kamouraska
Friday, Mme Morency returned to Kamouraska as a passenger in a friend’s vehicle. She did not have her luggage, which was in the stolen vehicle, with items she had just purchased, including wine glasses, Quebec cheeses, as well as a stock of bottles of sparkling wine. non-alcoholic tea base.
On Facebook, his post had reached 400 shares. It kept getting reposted.
Late Friday afternoon, she received a new image.
This photo came from a person who makes a career in the restaurant industry and who wishes to remain anonymous.
The photo sent by this good Samaritan was taken in front of Félix-Leclerc Park, in the district of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. There we saw a black van. Someone had smashed the passenger side window.
Examining the photos, Mme Morency had no hesitation.
“It was my van,” she said.
INFOGRAPHICS THE PRESS
She contacted the police. While waiting near the stolen vehicle, this good Samaritan saw a man approach and get into the SUV.
“I shouted to him: ‘Hey! What are you doing here ? Stopped !” “, he remembers.
The man got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Instinctively, the good Samaritan chased him, even having the presence of mind to film the scene with his phone.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WITNESS
The alleged suspect flees
“The man turned around, and I don’t know if I saw clearly, but I had the impression that he had a weapon. I decided I wasn’t going to risk my life for a van. So, I let it happen. »
The police arrived shortly after and took charge of the vehicle.
Preventative measures
The thieves were not professionals, notes Mme Morency.
“They had ripped the wires out of the start button. They also tore off the part where the rearview mirror is located, because there is a vehicle tracking system located there. »
Mélanie Bergeron, from SPVM media relations, notes that the collaboration of the population is important to fight against motor vehicle theft. “Any person who is a victim of vehicle theft or has information can contact 911 or their local station. »
Several actions can be taken to protect against this, she adds. “We suggest that owners equip themselves with an effective anti-theft device, such as a tracking system, an immobilizer or OBD (On Board Diagnostic) protection. Obtaining a case or box that blocks the signal emitted by your vehicle’s smart key and installing an anti-theft bar on your steering wheel are other examples of prevention measures. »
As for the restaurateur, she says she was touched by the help of the Good Samaritan, as well as that of people in the gastronomy and catering industry. She is happy that the story ended well.
“People in the restaurant business are people with heart, compassion and resilience. I received a big dose of love through this bad experience,” says Mme Morency.
The vehicle is currently under repair. This summer, it will be able to be used to transport customers on the remote roads of the Bas-du-Fleuve forests.
“The vehicle is going to have a story,” she said.
