In a swift operation that unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Stratford Police successfully recovered a stolen food truck and apprehended two suspects, concluding a case that had local business owners on edge.
The distinctive mobile kitchen, valued at approximately $85,000, disappeared from its regular parking location on Ontario Street last Sunday evening, prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities. Business owner Maria Cardoso reported the theft after arriving Monday morning to find her livelihood—a popular fixture at community events throughout the region—mysteriously absent.
“This wasn’t just a vehicle theft; it represented someone’s small business and primary source of income,” explained Detective Sergeant James Wilkins of the Stratford Police Service. “Our team prioritized the case knowing the significant impact this loss would have on the owner and the community events scheduled for the coming weeks.”
The breakthrough came when an alert citizen reported suspicious activity near an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. Officers conducted surveillance operations before executing a tactical approach that led to the arrest of two individuals—a 34-year-old man from Kitchener and a 29-year-old woman from Waterloo—who were allegedly in the process of repainting the vehicle.
Evidence recovered at the scene suggests the pair intended to modify the truck’s appearance before transporting it to another province for resale or personal use. Investigators also found professional food service equipment that had been removed from the truck and packaged for separate sale.
“What we’re seeing is an unfortunate trend in targeted commercial thefts,” noted Police Chief Rebecca Thomas in a press statement. “Food trucks represent valuable assets with multiple revenue streams for thieves—from the vehicle itself to the specialized equipment inside.”
Both suspects face multiple charges including theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and mischief. The male suspect had three outstanding warrants from neighboring jurisdictions for similar offenses, pointing to what authorities describe as a pattern of specialized commercial theft activities across Southwestern Ontario.
The recovered food truck sustained minor damage during the attempted modifications but has been returned to its rightful owner. Cardoso expressed profound relief at the recovery, noting that missing several scheduled events would have resulted in thousands in lost revenue beyond the value of the truck itself.
“We’re seeing increasing sophistication in these types of thefts,” explained economic crime specialist Professor Martin Reynolds from Western University. “The targeting of small business assets like food trucks combines relatively low risk with high potential returns for criminal enterprises.”
Local business owners are now working with police to establish enhanced security protocols for mobile businesses, including GPS tracking systems and improved overnight storage arrangements.
As summer festival season approaches across the region, how can mobile business owners protect their investments while maintaining the accessibility that makes these businesses successful in the first place?
