A would-be car thief was foiled in Barrie, thanks to some clever driveway parking.
Just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, police say a homeowner on Jewel House Lane contacted them after waking up to find someone had tried to steal their Jeep SUV, which had been parked in the driveway overnight.
Police say the attempted theft occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
According to police, the homeowner noticed the rear passenger window of his SUV had been damaged in an attempt to break it and gain access to the vehicle. The wires inside the grill area had been cut, and interior panels were also removed, police added.
A second car was parked tightly beside the SUV, and police believe that it likely blocked the getaway.
"Barrie police are reminding the public that auto theft is preventable, and this incident is an example of a homeowner doing what they can so that they do not become a victim. The SUV in question will require some repair, but in the end, it will not become a statistic associated with this ongoing issue," police said in a news release. "The SUV needs some repairs, but it's still in the driveway, not on a list of stolen vehicles."
Officers have canvassed the area and collected surveillance video to help with the investigation.
