A couple moving from B.C. to Winnipeg with all their possessions packed into a U-Haul wants whoever has their stuff to give it back.
The vehicle was stolen from a hotel parking lot in Abbotsford, B.C., sometime between last Friday night and Saturday.
Police investigating the theft recovered the missing U-Haul in a school parking lot in Surrey the same day it was reported missing, but it was empty.
John and Carol Dyck were only 35 kilometres from the home they were leaving in Langley, B.C., last Friday when their move to be closer to family turned into a nightmare.
"We didn't make it very far at all,” said John from the couple’s new apartment in Winnipeg which remains mostly empty, except for the furniture family and friends have donated following the theft.
"We're grateful for that but it still doesn't replace what we lost," he said.
He and his wife had planned to drive to Manitoba, where they’re both from originally, but ended up flying after the U-Haul was stolen.
After a busy day packing last Friday, the couple pulled into the hotel in Abbotsford to get some rest and continue their journey the next day.
When they went outside to the parking lot around 6:45 a.m. Saturday, the U-Haul was gone.
"I looked out the door and it was within sight of the reception desk, where the van would've been and there was nothing,” said John. "I turned around and Carol was coming up and I said 'the truck is gone, it's been stolen and we'd better report it to the police.’"
John said insurance won't cover the loss and he wants whoever has their stuff to give it back.
"We will be grateful for anything that is recovered," he said.
The truck contained furniture, books, a scooter and priceless family possessions.
Despite the ordeal, the couple's looking forward to getting resettled in Manitoba but never expected they'd be coming home with nothing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Abbotsford Police at 604-859-5225, text officers at 222973 (abbypd), or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
