Facial recognition makes stolen truck easy to spot
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/01/2020 (2467 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It was a bold move.
Someone rang in the new year by making off with a local real estate agency’s truck, which advertised, in eye-catching uppercase font along the side of the trailer, “free” moving truck services.
The owners of the 16-foot moving truck with their faces emblazoned on its side are asking Winnipeggers to keep an eye out for the conspicuous commercial vehicle. The truck, with the licence plate KEC 596, was parked outside of Sotello Group’s office on Henderson Highway Dec. 31, but by Jan. 3, an employee returning from holiday noticed it was gone.
Sebastian Sotello, a real estate agent with Sotello Group — Royal LePage, said Saturday the truck has been reported stolen and the company has filed a claim with Manitoba Public Insurance. The side of the truck bears his photo, along with Roberto Sotello’s, and their full names and phone number.
They’re concerned about not having the truck available for their clients, but not knowing where their images have ended up has created a more immediate worry.
“Just because it has our faces all over, that’s what really we’re concerned about, not knowing what it’s being used for or where they took it. But we just can’t think of anybody wanting to steal it knowing that it’s just so easy to spot,” Sotello said.
“I just can’t imagine who would take a vehicle like that, knowing that it’s wrapped all over (with company decals).”
The truck is typically loaned out to clients who’ve bought or sold a home through the real estate agency. They can book their use of the truck in advance and access it with a pass code that is changed frequently, Sotello said. There were no moves scheduled over the new year, and none of their clients booked the truck until the end of January, he said.
Someone also broke into a locked shed near where the moving truck was parked, Sotello said, although it didn’t appear anything had been stolen from the shed.
When the truck is on the streets, it’s not uncommon for the company to hear from people who’ve seen their advertising. Now, Sotello said he’s hoping that will help them track down the moving truck.
“Every time the vehicle is out, we get people messaging us, ‘Hey I just seen your vehicle,’” he said. “So I just can’t think of anybody wanting to do that (steal it), because it’s just so easy to recognize.”