Stolen U-Haul found in Abbotsford
Heirlooms, photographs of family moving to Victoria from Saskatchewan left behind by thieves
Michael Suiker chokes up with emotion when he considers what he has lost and what he still has.
A few days after Christmas, Suiker and his daughter Meghan packed all their belongings into a U-Haul rig and trailer and drove from Saskatchewan toward Victoria, where they plan to live.
They stopped Tuesday night in South Surrey to stay with relatives before the final leg of their journey to Vancouver Island.
But when they woke up the next morning, the truck and trailer carrying all their possessions were gone.
The family quickly posted news of their loss to social media networks and the story was shared by thousands. Friday afternoon, an Abbotsford resident recognized the truck in a parking lot near Sumas Way and McConnell Road and alerted police.
The trailer, containing an ATV and high-value household goods, is still missing, police say. But in the abandoned U-Haul truck seized by police remained irreplaceable photo albums and heirlooms belonging to his parents and grandparents.
“These pictures and keepsakes were left carefully placed on top of a box,” Suiker said. “It was comforting to know whoever did this at least had a little bit of heart.”
Suiker said he is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from strangers on social media, including the person who spotted the stolen truck in Abbotsford and those who continue to keep a look out for the stolen trailer, ATV, and other goods.
Suiker says he believes he bought the insurance package needed to cover such a loss from U-Haul, but has yet to receive a positive response from the shipping company.
“We were not wealthy, but we were not poor and we worked hard for everything we had,” Suiker told the Sunday Province.
“We packed our life into that truck and drove to another province, and someone could steal it all from us in under a minute.”
Suiker gathered his emotions before continuing: “We’re completely overwhelmed with all the kind words and support and we’re just focusing on the important things. My daughter and I are safe and we have a good future in Victoria to build on.”
Acting Sgt. Pat Kelly of the Abbotsford Police Department said forensic detectives are fingerprinting the stolen truck in hopes of locating suspects.
Despite the size of the truck and trailer stolen in Surrey and driven to Abbotsford, there is not necessarily a sophisticated criminal operation involved in the case, Kelly said.
“Unfortunately, U-Hauls are quite easy to steal and they are likely filled with lots of high value goods that can very quickly be pawned,” Kelly said.
“It’s a target almost like a car filled with Christmas gifts in a parking lot.”