STOLEN BACKHOE USED IN THEFT OF WIRE

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the theft of a backhoe from a jobsite in Leamington that was later used in a break-in to a fenced compound in Lakeshore where a large spool of wire was stolen.

Sometime overnight March 7th to March 8th, a 2003 John Deere 310SG backhoe was removed by an unknown suspect(s) from a jobsite on Mersea Road 6.

On March 9, 2020 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the same backhoe was used in a break-in to a fenced compound on Lakeshore Road 125.

Surveillance video captured an individual using the backhoe to pull a large spool of wire cable through the fence and then remove it from the scene.

A photo of the suspect inside the fenced compound and a photo of the stolen backhoe are attached.

The OPP requests that anyone having knowledge of these crimes, contact the Essex County Major Crime Unit at 519-723-2491.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000