Thieves stole a wood splitter and an old Ford pickup to carry it from Green Thumb Nursery in Nanaimo, but the truck’s owners told police they don’t think the unlicensed vehicle, in poor mechanical condition, is capable of going far. (File photo)

Thieves take wood splitter and beat-up truck from Nanaimo nursery

Green Thumb Nursery security cameras triggered as truck driven out business' main gate

  • Feb. 4, 2021 12:00 a.m.

RCMP are looking for a wood splitter and an old Ford work truck and and whoever stole them from a nursery in north Nanaimo, but owners figure the truck, in poor condition, won’t get far.

Green Thumb Nursery, on Hammond Bay Road, was broken into early Thursday, Feb. 4. Security cameras were activated at 4:40 a.m. as one of the company’s service trucks was driven out the front gate and loaded with a 20-ton Champion wood splitter.

According to a Nanaimo RCMP press release, it appeared thieves entered the nursery by climbing over the perimeter fence on the north side of the property. Once on the property, the culprits allegedly rummaged through one of sheds on site until they found the keys for the truck, a late ’80s burgundy-coloured Ford Ranger pickup that was only used for work in the nursery and had no insurance, no plates and was in poor mechanical condition.

“Owners were doubtful the truck could be driven any significant distance,” the release noted.

After the lock was broken off of the front gate, the truck was driven in an unknown direction.

There are at least 50 assorted stickers attached to the rear window of the truck and the yellow wood splitter would have been loaded into the back of the truck.

Investigators allegedly found evidence, but are not saying what it was, by the front gate that was most likely left behind by an individual standing lookout during the break-and-enter.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2021-4078.

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