The theft of two trucks from Western GM Sunday morning adds to the growing number of vehicle thefts reported in the area this month.
    Western GM reported two trucks stolen on February 24, a blue Silverado HD Diesel Crew and a white Sierra Denali Diesel Crew. Drumheller RCMP Corporal Rachel Pergunas says an officer was on scene within minutes and witnessed some activity. General Manager Doug Lubinski said four individuals, three males and one female, were seen on surveillance footage breaking into the offices and shop, both cutting into a steel door and driving into a bay door to gain access, where they then stole keys from the offices before making off with the two vehicles.
    While fleeing, one of the suspect vehicles drove into the vehicle of a witness attempting to stop their pursuit, before driving off. A vehicle that was used in the break-in was located in a ditch near Extra Foods. One of the stolen vehicles was located in Strathmore, the other was discovered late Monday night abandoned near Innisfail.
    In addition to the cost of the vehicles, which he estimated at around $170,000, the bay door is temporarily unusable, there was considerable time lost for staff and others involved in the investigation.
    “You can’t protect yourselves from these guys. What am I going to do? These are steel overhead doors they drove a truck through. I guess what I can do is build a wall around my dealership and lock the gates at night, but they’re just going to drive through the gates or drive through the wall,” Lubinski says.
    Cpl. Pergunas says the investigation suggested the theft was “fairly well planned and executed,” opposed to the thefts of opportunity which have been reported this month. She says those are the two distinct categories of vehicle theft happening in Drumheller: organized thefts by people travelling here from other areas, and local offenders who take opportunities to commit crimes when they arise.
    “These are higher end criminal rings that are stealing these newer vehicles to be re-VINed (Vehicle Identification Number) and sold illegally,” she says.
    Gone, it seems, are the days people can leave their vehicles running while they run inside the house or convenience store. The theft of opportunities are the easiest vehicle thefts for drivers to prevent, and police advise people to not leave their vehicles running unlocked and unattended. Cold weather seems to increase reports of vehicle thefts as people are leaving their cars running to stay warm, and thieves are less inclined to just walk to where they need to go.
    “They’re of the criminal element that don’t care and have no respect for someone else’s belongings, and they have no qualms with grabbing something to get somewhere,” Cpl. Pergunas says.
    She acknowledges the names of the same group of individuals seem to regularly reappear, as they are arrested, charged, and released by the courts regularly, only to reoffend.
    “There’s only so much we can do unfortunately…. It’s the same people over and over and over again. Knowing and being able to prove it in a court of law is another story. We’re doing the best we can.”

The word “retirement” may not have been in Ken and Marcie Schinnour’s thoughts, but that is exactly what the longtime members of the Drumheller business community are headed for at the end of February.

Allied Distributors, after 52 years in operation, and four locations in Drumheller, will become an Auto Value location beginning March 1. The present location on the Highway 9 corridor across from ATB Financial, will undergo a sign change on that date. According to Ken, that is pretty much the only visible difference customers and friends will notice.

“Marcie and I are very proud of our long association serving the agriculture and service industries, and the new owners will continue the tradition of uncompromised service to our loyal friends and customers, under the Auto Value banner.”, he told The Mail. “We are excited about the change, it is a progressive change, and a good news story for Drumheller and district”, he continued. Customers will see the same level of customer service that has been a trademark of Allied over many years. As well, Auto Value will continue with the same products and services.

All 12 current staff members will continue on with Auto Value, and store hours will remain the same.

Auto Value Central Auto Parts is an Alberta, family owned and operated company. Founder Dan Scrivens, started his first parts store in Calgary in 1975. Now, with 13 Auto Value parts stores, and distribution warehouse housing some 400,000 parts, they attribute their success with having the right parts at the right time and offering excellent customer service.

“We are excited to be in Drumheller, and ready to serve the community with quality parts along with great service, we look forward to meeting everyone.”, said Darrell Scrivens, current owner.

Ken and Marcie are looking forward to a slower pace and will continue to call Drumheller home. The last day for the Schinnours will be Thursday, February 28. The store will be closed March 1 and 2, opening March 4 under the new name.