By Derek Cornet

‘Worst time in the world’: Stolen SUV found burnt in pit

May 9, 2018 | 12:00 PM

It was a sudden awakening for La Ronge resident Vanessa Searson who was jolted out of bed by knocking at her front door Monday at 3:15 a.m.

A neighbour found the driver’s manual for her 2012 Toyota Highlander on the road, she said, and wanted to let her know what he found. Searson immediately realized the SUV was missing from her home on Studer St. and called 911 to report it. Remembering the vehicle was low on fuel, she called a local gas station to let them know to watch out for it.

“He said it’s here right now,” Searson said. “I was able to call 911 and that’s when the cops first [saw] the vehicle and they went on a little chase… but they weren’t able to get it.”

Throughout the day, Searson drove around the tri-community hoping to locate the SUV, adding she was getting calls from people who thought they’d seen it. At 7:15 p.m., however, a friend let her know it was found South of Air Ronge in a nearby sand pit. She said it was completely burned and a total loss.

While the La Ronge RCMP haven’t told Searson if they’ve identified those involved yet, she said police have surveillance footage of the alleged perpetrators and are examining it. Searson noted she doesn’t know how the SUV was stolen, adding the doors were locked.

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“It was like the worst time in the world,” she said of the incident. “I just had that vehicle given to me as a grad present on Saturday [for] finishing my degree. I also go down to Saskatoon next week to wait for my baby.”

According to the La Ronge RCMP, the matter is currently under investigation and the public is urged to contact the detachment or CrimeStoppers with any information. The RCMP also stated the stolen vehicle was one of three calls officers received early Monday morning. Another resident who lives about a block away reported to police that someone attempted to steal her vehicle by hot wiring it around the same time. 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno