PEIRCMP in Stratford, P.E.I., are investigating after four vehicles were stolen last weekend and later found heavily damaged, with one of them a writeoff.Theft left 3 vehicles heavily damaged, with 1 believed to be a writeoffThinh Nguyen · CBC News · Posted: Oct 21, 2025 2:08 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoStratford RCMP are investigating the theft of four stolen vehicles that were recovered heavily damaged on Sunday. (Ryan McLeod/CBC News)The Stratford RCMP are investigating after four vehicles were stolen over the weekend and later found heavily damaged, with one of them believed to be a writeoff.In a news release Tuesday, police said the thefts happened during the overnight hours of Saturday into Sunday. Cpl. Gavin Moore, the P.E.I. RCMP’s media relations officer, said three of the stolen vehicles were actually returned to the residence they were taken from or found nearby, while the fourth was discovered under a transport truck trailer in the Stratford Home Hardware parking lot.Moore said police also received reports of the stolen vehicles being driven recklessly through the town.“It would appear that these vehicles were taken for a joyride and were involved in various forms of crashes throughout the community of Stratford,” Moore told CBC News.“This is not only of serious concern for people to lose their property, but this is also significant danger to… pedestrians, anybody who is also on the road.”Keys left insideMoore said all of the vehicles had their keys left inside.He noted that auto thefts RCMP encounter on the Island “almost always” involve vehicles with keys left in them.“This is a very preventable offense. We want to remind everybody that it’s important not only to take your keys in and secure them, but also remove any valuables that may be tempting to those who are window shopping in your neighbourhood,” he said.Cpl. Gavin Moore says auto thefts RCMP encounter on the Island ‘almost always’ involve vehicles with keys left in them. (CBC)Police said there were at least two individuals connected to the thefts, and one is described as young and short.Given the state the vehicles were found in, Moore said it’s possible the people who stole them were injured.The stolen vehicles include:2025 white Ford F-150.2023 black Subaru Ascent.2014 grey Chevrolet Malibu.2022 white and black Volvo XC40.Several other vehicles on Golf View Drive were also rummaged through that night, but nothing was reported stolen.The investigation is focused on the areas of Golf View Drive, Edgeview Court and Montrose Drive.Police are asking anyone in Stratford, particularly in those neighbourhoods, who saw anything suspicious or who has camera footage that could help the investigation to contact Stratford RCMP at 902-367-9300.With files from Nicola MacLeod
4 cars stolen for joyrides in Stratford had keys left inside, police say
