Police searching for suspect who drove stolen Charger through auto shop door

Windsor police have released security photos of a suspect wanted for an automotive shop break-in during which a vehicle was stolen and driven through the business’s garage door.

On Tuesday at approximately 6:30 a.m., patrol officers responded to an auto repair shop located in the 500 block of Eugenie Street East — Macdonald’s Automotive Supercentre — for a report that a garage door appeared insecure and damaged.

Officers arrived to find the door had significant damage, and discovered other damage to the business, police said Wednesday.

Through investigation, police confirmed a break and enter had occurred and a red Dodge Charger was stolen. The vehicle had been driven through the garage door and caused visible damage.

The break-in occurred around 6:15 a.m., and the thief may have been loitering in the area prior to the incident.

The suspect is described as wearing a white hooded sweater, tan pants, black running shoes and a green and black backpack. The suspect fled the area in the stolen Charger, which had the spoiler ripped off during the incident.

Patrol officers found the Charger unoccupied at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday near the corner of Wyandotte Street East and Marion Avenue.

The Windsor police property crimes unit continues to investigate and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone who may have seen the damaged stolen Charger being driven Tuesday morning is also encouraged to speak with law enforcement.

Anyone with information can call Windsor police at 519-2556700 ext. 4350.

Peter Selley, owner of Macdonald’s Automotive Supercentre, told the Star on Tuesday that four sets of keys had been stolen. He will have to pay $10,000 out of pocket for repairs to the framed-glass, retractable garage door before he finds out if his insurance will cover the damage.

The auto garage had reopened recently after the non-essential service was forced to close for three weeks because of COVID -19 restrictions.