Ontario family’s car stolen from parking lot of Montreal hotel

A family from Ontario says their SUV was stolen from a hotel parking lot in Montreal while the family was on a March break vacation down south.

It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for Trisha Longetin and her family.

“We worked all year to go on this trip and then it was ruined for several days at the end,” she said.

On March 8, Longetin, her husband and two children drove their year-old Toyota Highlander from Ontario to Montreal–Trudeau International Airport.

She said they spent the night before their flight at the Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel, opting to park in its private parking lot near a security camera.

“We put a security club on it. We parked in their private parking lot that had a security bar, which they called a two-ticket system. So we felt very secure,” Longetin. …

The Montreal airport and surrounding hotels have all had their share of cars stolen from their parking lots, said George Iny with the Automobile Protection Association.

“The staff at the hotels are well aware when their lots are vulnerable. And they also know what’s being stolen,” he said.

Iny said the safest bet is to leave your car at home – which isn’t always possible.

Car manufacturers need to step up, he added.

“Certainly, for vehicles that are high theft targets, they are inadequately protected,” he said.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up-to-date with our latest news.