Caught on camera: Winnipeg’s winter thieves take snowblower

WINNIPEG – Two men were caught on camera apparently stealing a Winnipeg homeowner’s snowblower right out of his yard in broad daylight.

Images captured by two of Rodney Fritz’s security cameras show two men pulling up to his Island Lakes home on a Saturday afternoon and casually loading the snowblower into their red truck. The licence plate is covered.

“You feel like you’re violated. Somebody’s come and taken something from your property, and that can really get you upset and angry,” said Fritz, who was surprised to find his snowblower missing last month.

Ward Fyke, Fritz’s neighbour, watched the men take the snowblower and drive off. He did not intervene because he assumed the men knew a member of the Fritz family and were just borrowing the snowblower.

“They just seemed so casual about it,” said Fyke. “They didn’t look suspicious or anything like that, the way they walked around the house and then they proceeded just to drive away.”

Fritz has since filed a police report, locked the gate which the men entered to steal the snowblower and is hoping to get it back.

The snowblower was sentimental to him — a Christmas gift from his wife more than 20 years ago to take some stress off his back in the winter.

“I guess everybody better check their drawers and make sure they haven’t lost their long johns,” said Fritz.

This is not the first cold weather crime in Winnipeg in recent weeks.

Winter gear was also targeted by Winnipeg thieves in November, when 40 parkas worth more than $15,000 were stolen.

Winnipeg Police say if you catch a thief on camera – the first thing to do is contact them – before posting the crimes online.

“It should be a collaborative effort as far as us working with the victim and allowing investigators to make that ultimate determination what information should be make public,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen of the Winnipeg Police Service.

And keep your winter gear locked up.

READ MORE: Winnipeg parka thief arrested, police say