This bobcat was stolen from the Southside Hardscaping and Excavating lot in rural south Nanaimo sometime between Nov. 12 and 14. (submitted/Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

excavate escape

Expensive excavator stolen from south Nanaimo lot

Nov 25, 2020 | 12:13 PM

NANAIMO — A distinct excavator worth $40,000 was stolen from a machinery lot.

Nanaimo RCMP said the 2012 Bobcat mini excavator was stolen from the rural Southside Hardscaping and Excavating lot in the Extension area sometime between Thursday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 14.

“The owner of the property says he has a lot of machinery around there,” RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

It’s believed someone walked onto the lot and used the bobcat’s punch pad to start it up and drive away.

O’Brien said it could have been easily driven to a waiting truck hiding on many of the side roads and logging roads in the Extension area.

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“Normally they’re sold on the black market for a discounted value,” O’Brien said. “That’s one option we’re looking at. We’re certainly looking at other things.”

O’Brien said the list of suspects is narrowed significantly by the bobcat needing a code, entered on the punch pad, to start.

If anyone sees a bobcat with advertising for Southside and the phone number (250) 591-1510 on the side, they’re urged to call Nanaimo RCMP.

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