MONTREAL – The NDG family whose wheelchair-adapted van was stolen last week, has more questions than answers over the location where the vehicle was found.
The van was found in the parking lot of a Lasalle scrap-yard last Tuesday, just 24 hours after it was stolen outside the family’s apartment on Decarie boulevard. Montrealers were clearly moved by the story of the stolen van belonging to an 8-year-old disabled boy and his father, who were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“At the beginning it was very sad when we just noticed the van was stolen but with the passing of the days we were happy to know that many people are trying to help,” said Carlos Ruiz, who is now using a van temporarily donated by Transport Ecole BEC, the adapted transportation company that takes his son to school.
But serious questions are now being raised as to where the vehicle was found. The person who first called police after spotting the car spoke to Global News in an exclusive interview. Ahmed El was driving his car Tuesday when he saw the infamous stolen van being towed into the Century Acier scrap-yard.
“I see inside the car, I see the handicapped machine and I said to this guy, ‘please don’t scrap this car I am sure this car is stolen.’” said El who claims he had to call police twice before they took him seriously.
“At the same time I was calling the police, the two men moved the car from the scrap-yard then put it here and they left,” said El, standing in the parking lot next door. Both El and Ruiz believe police should investigate. But Montreal police would not comment on the case and the company in question didn’t return our calls.
Century Acier Inc. advertises that it pays cash for cars and all types of metal. But the question remains, what rules do recycling companies have to follow to make sure the vehicles they’re scrapping aren’t stolen?
“For me, if the van is stolen, the scrap-yard can’t take the car without the registration,” said El who feels blessed to have helped the Ruiz family’s wish come true. “My job is done. Now it’s for the police to investigate.”
Comments