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Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record
LEFT: Steve Fritzley holds up a new disclaimer sign for his Huron Road business. Fritzley has been the victim of
four separate thefts in the past three years at his automotive repair shop west of Seaforth.
Four times the victim, Fritzley
says enough is enough
Thieves cutting converters
off parked trucks
Gerard Creces
Clinton News -Record
It's been a rough couple of years for Steve Fritzley since he
moved his automotive business outside Seaforth.
This is Fritzley's third winter at the new shop, which is at the
comer of Roxboro Road and Hwy 8, and he has already been the
victim of thieves four times. The latest incident was Dec. 17, when
four tires and rims were stolen out of the back of a customer's
pickup truck, and several vehicles were also looted through. The
tires are discontinued LT24575 R16E 10 -ply Cooper Discoverer
ATRs and Fritzley has called other auto shops in the area to keep
an eye out
The thefts are only one of a string of thefts at the location. In the
summer, thieves used a sawzall to cut the catalytic converters off
seven trucks before returning a week later for three more.
Catalytic converters go for about $100 at the scrap yard - money
that should be going into the business.
"It comes right out of my pocket," Fritzley explained. "I take a
loss. It's part of recycling cars - we get what we can out of them:'
Police increased their patrols of the area, and Fritzley has
installed outdoor lighting for his lot Still, he said, it's hard to stay in
business but easy to steal. He's also had to put up a sign saying the
business is not responsible for stolen items.
He is also urging customers not to leave their vehicles unlocked,
and the police have full authority to arrest anyone caught on
premises after hours.
"If it's after midnight and you're not a tow truck, you're going to
be arrested," he said. "It's gotten that bad:'
Other preventative measures Fritzley is considering are cam-
eras, marking or tarring the converters or removing them himself
immediately - things that eat up time or money, he said.
While there have been no break-ins at the current shop itself,
Fritzley did have an attempted break in at his shop when it was
located in town. He has strong words for the thieves.
"Whoever is stealing better hope the police catch him first," he
said. "If I do, it won't be good:'
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for
information leading to a conviction on the
thefts, and Fritzley is also offering a reward
upon conviction.
Most of the thefts have been during the
week, and some on the weekends. They
mostly occurred at night The thieves were
careless, leaving behind sawzall blades,
CDs and in one case, wallets full of stolen
ID and flash cards. Huron East has seen an
increasing amount of thefts over the past
few years, but increased police presence
also means increased cost, Fritzley said,
adding it's only a matter of time before
people make their own moves.
"One of these days someone is going to
take the law into their own hands and the
thief is going to be the victim," he said.
"With all this stuff going on it makes you
want to stop being the nice guy."
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Wednesday, January 8, 2014 • Huron Expositor 13
No end to the snow
10.01111Nill
&MAW
II
;dor
Huron East residents were digging themselves out once
again Jan. 6, as blizzard warnings covered Southern Ontario.
According to Environment Canada, strengthening northwesterly winds brought with them
some bitterly cold Arctic air, as well as flurries off of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The storm
was predicted to become more intense by the afternoon, with a potential for 15 to 30 cm to
fall into the next
morning.
Travellers were
encouraged to stay
home, but if travel
was needed, to
ensure they had
an adequate car
emergency kit
and ample fuel
if travelling any
distance.
iv •
are bad
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February
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