Tailgate thefts sting truck-owners

An unusual type of theft is on the rise in Airdrie, Alta.

Police in the city just north of Calgary said 25 tailgates were stolen from trucks last weekend.

Const. Robert Frizzell said the increase in thefts could be a result of the high demand for the truck part.

"There is a shortage of the tailgates ... in terms of if one is damaged or you need to repair or certain customized trucks require different tailgates. So criminal organizations or criminals discovered that this is a requirement, so they're trying to fill that void or niche market, I guess," said Frizzell.

Airdrie resident Ryan Stefura's truck is missing its tailgate after the two-day crime spree.

"Getting ready to go to work, came out and no tailgate," he said. "It's pretty surprising. It's kind of frustrating because you know you move into a small community and you think you're safe and then this happens, so you never know."

He'll now have to pay $500 dollars on his insurance deductible to get a new one.

Replacement cost pegged at $2,500

Others in his neighbourhood, Bayside, have also been targeted.

Police said nine of the 25 were stolen from that community.

Dwight Bodrug, who moves vehicles around the lot at the Airdrie Motors car dealership, noticed 12 tailgates missing after last weekend.

"The tailgate alone is $1,900. Paint on top of that, $200 to $400. And then labour on top of that, as well, so it's quite expensive," Bodrug said of replacing the tailgates at market costs.

Police haven't made arrests and are continuing to investigate.  

Frizzell said tailgates are relatively easy to steal, but not if you buy a lock. That's exactly what Stefura said he would do next time.

"I guess you have to lock your tailgate now," he said.