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Not so automatic: Manual transmission foils would-be car thief

Police say the man couldn't drive a stick and 'the windshield was frosted up, so he really couldn't drive way too easily'
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Barrie police are looking for a man who allegedly entered an unlocked home near Yonge Street and Little Avenue in an attempt to steal a car. The incident occurred overnight into Sunday when the suspect took a set of keys and tried to steal the vehicle, but police say the man was unable to figure out how to drive the car equipped with a standard transmission.

Barrie police are looking for a man who allegedly entered an unlocked home near Yonge Street and Little Avenue in an attempt to steal a car.

The incident occurred overnight into Sunday when police say the suspect took a set of keys and tried to steal the vehicle.

However, police say the man was unable to figure out how to drive the car, which had a standard transmission.

“And with it being a cold night, the windshield was frosted up, so he really couldn’t drive away too easily,” police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to email the investigating officer at [email protected] or call police at 705-725-7025.



Kevin Lamb

About the Author: Kevin Lamb

Kevin Lamb picked up a camera in 2000 and by 2005 was freelancing for the Barrie Examiner newspaper until its closure in 2017. He is an award-winning photojournalist, with his work having been seen in many news outlets across Canada and internationally
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