A Calgary couple, set to hit the road to be at the bedside of a dying loved one, are now scrambling after their truck was stolen.
The 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 diesel truck was undergoing repairs at High Country Auto and Propane, 603 77th Ave. S.E., when it was driven off the yard some time Sunday.
Chris Frost said the truck was having some work done to prepare it for a road trip to Creston, B.C., where his partner Brenda Groleau was going to say her final goodbyes to her sister Janet Beatle, who’s opted for doctor-assisted death after a failing battle with inoperable cancer.
“She signed the papers for assisted suicide and Janet wanted her sister Brenda to be there,” said Frost, who works at a truck accessories shop.
“Now I’m not sure how we’re going to get there.”
Frost said Beatle is currently in the 10-day cooling off period before undergoing the procedure, and they were hoping to be there to ease her through the difficult time.
The couple, he said, had planned on using the truck to pull their trailer, reducing the potential costs of the 500-kilometre journey. While the pair have another older vehicle, Frost said, “I’m not sure it’ll make it all the way there.”
Hoping to generate some leads, the couple have posted a Kijiji ad with pictures of the truck, asking anyone who sees the stolen vehicle to report it to police, who are investigating the theft.
Frost is also appealing to whoever took the truck to return it, no questions asked.
Meanwhile, Frost said they’re looking at perhaps renting a vehicle, though he notes they have limited funds. Adding to the burden, he said, is the fact the couple didn’t have theft insurance.
The black Sierra is a 4X4, 6.5 diesel with Alberta licence plate BNM-3059. Anyone who spots it is asked to call police at 403-266-1234.