Someone stole a company shuttle van, clipped a semi truck, then got out the vehicle while it was still running and left it to plow into a nearby McDonald's restaurant.

Police say at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, someone stole a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander minivan from inside the garage of the Brent McNaught Automotive Centre near Portage Avenue and Sherbrook Street. The thief broke into the centre's garage, and found the keys inside the door of the company's shuttle van.

The thief then drove the shuttle van north on Sherbrook Street and while turning left on Portage, clipped the front fender of a semi truck that was heading east down Portage.

Police say the thief got out of the van while it was still running and left it in reverse. The van travelled backwards into the McDonald's at the corner of Portage and Sherbrook, causing extensive damage.

During the robbery neighbours heard the commotion and called police right away. Officers were able to respond just as the van was taking off.

"I heard somebody in there, the tires squealing... banging into things," one witness told CTV's Stacey Ashley. "The guy was running on Maryland (Street). They chased him that far. I don't know if the caught him."

Police arrested a 24-year-old man. There were no reports of injuries.

Police spokesperson Const. Blair Good said businesses need to be careful where they store keys for company vehicles.

"It happens all the time, businesses leave keys in the vehicle. Whether it's common practice, whether the keys were forgotten -- I'm not sure what the case was with this [incident]," said Good. "Business like that should have their keys locked up."

It's advice McNaught will now put to use. Smythe said the company will no longer leave keys in vehicles, even if they are locked up in the garage.

"That's' something that we unfortunately can't do anymore," he said. "It's beneficial for the workers to be able to get access at any time, but now we'll have to keep them in a locked place."

A 24-year-old man has been arrested and is faces charges of:

  • Break, Enter a place - commit indictable offence
  • Theft Over $5,000
  • Drive While Disqualified
  • Drive Imprudently
  • Fail to remain at the scene of an accident and exchange particulars
  • Two counts of Fail to Comply with Condition Recognizance

With a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley.