CAUGHT ON CAMERA: $50K in power sports gear stolen from Brantford Suzuki

A Brantford business owner lost tens of thousands after an alleged burglary. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte reports.

A brazen theft targeting a powersports gear retailer in Paris, Ont. was caught on camera.

It happened at Brantford Suzuki on Saturday around 9:30 p.m. during the winter storm that swept through the area. While it kept many motorists off the road, it didn’t stop some unwanted visitors from showing up.

Security camera footage shows two trucks pull into the dealership. One of them had a trailer attached.

Video shows a truck repeatedly backing into one of the service bays.

“[They] took out the whole bay door. Four people entered the dealership in the service bays and they started helping themselves,” said Val Petrella, dealer principal at Brantford Suzuki.

Petrella has been in business there for 46 years. The former Suzuki car dealership switched over and began focusing on the Suzuki powersports line several years ago.

“They stole three brand new Suzuki King quads. They stole two warn winches and plows,” said Petrella.

It is equipment that’s not cheap.

“When I look around at the value of the quads they stole and they damage they did to the bay door - probably about $50,000 to $60,000 in damage. Somebody has to pay for that,” Petrella said.

Despite having several security cameras and measures in place, it didn’t seem to matter.

“Every one of my vehicles has a grip lock on it which prevents people from rolling these machines out. These guys came in and actually picked them up physically – four guys. These are heavy machines,” said Petrella. “What’s unbelievable is they’re in and out of here in five minutes.”

Petrella reported the incident to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and said they are investigating.

CTV News reached out to Brant County OPP, but did not hear back.

Petrella is hopeful someone may recognize who did this or the vehicles they were driving. Either way, it doesn’t take away the sting.

“It’s really sickening to be quite honest with you. It just hurts you right in the stomach,” Petrella said.

He adds that many cars must have driven by the night it happened and that someone may have seen something given how well the dealership is lit.

Petrella just wants people to speak up or call police if they see something unusual.