It seems truck hijackings are happening more and more frequently these days. It’s a scary thought, especially since the thieves seem to be getting more brazen. And they’re so organized that they often get away with their crimes.
Recently, Donald Woods was found dead in his truck in Pickering. He was last seen at the 10-Acre Truck Stop in Belleville late on Wednesday, June 21. It’s believed he left Belleville early on June 22. He was hauling a refrigerated trailer full of chicken. Chicken! It appears he lost his life over a load of chicken.
Is there anything these thieves won’t steal? I have spoken with several drivers at truck shows who have expressed an increased level of concern for their safety. Many know or have worked with a driver who has found himself staring down the barrel of a gun and ordered into the sleeper cab while his load is pillaged.
What can be done about it? These thieves aren’t your typical thug – they can disengage a GPS tracking system in seconds and be on their way. A crackdown on this type of cargo theft is needed before more drivers are killed. Hopefully, when arrests in this case and others are made, the judge will toss the book at them. It should be treated no less severely than a home invasion.
If you have any information about Donald Woods, contact the Durham Regional Police Homicide Unit at 905-579-1520. Detective David Henderson at ext. 5326 or Det. Mitch Martin at ext. 5405 would like to hear from you.
If you can’t help out in that case, please feel free to share your thoughts on the increasing risk of cargo theft and truck hijackings here. I know it’s something that would be on the back of my mind at all times given recent events. Be careful out there.