Food truck owner frustrated by absence of arrest following third break-in

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Todd’s Dogs has been a staple of the food industry in Woodstock and area for 21 years but after a third break-in, its owner is having doubts about staying in business.

Todd Ellerby had already gone through the fire at the fairgrounds, his first major insurance claim, and the theft of a generator, but the thefts at his Home Hardware location in Woodstock has him fuming.

“Actual break-ins, the first one was fourteen months ago then I had another one two weeks later. The first time he came through the door, it was the same guy. I reinforced the door and fixed everything. Two weeks later to the day he came back and went through the roof because he couldn’t get in the door.”

Ellerby said the suspect stole food and pop on each occasion. He added more cameras after the first crime but that didn’t deter the thief.

“He couldn’t open the door so he came in through the exhaust fan. He stole a lot more product and we were closed for three weeks afterward because he smashed the suppression system. That time I made an insurance claim because I was out three weeks worth of revenue and my employees were out of work.”

Between the fire, generator theft, and break-ins, Ellerby figures he is $50,000 out of pocket. He thought about closing up shop last year and added some days it is a struggle to even show up to work.

“I don’t know why I haven’t yet. I don’t even like coming to work anymore, that’s a problem. When you are in the customer service industry you need to enjoy what you’re doing and I don’t enjoy it because of these break-ins. Every morning when I get out of bed and driving down here, I’m thinking, well, is everything going to be okay?”

Nothing has ever happened to his food truck, not to be confused with the trailer on Dundas Street.

“I do well with the food truck. (The trailer), it’s covering itself by the time I pay for the damages.”

Ellerby said his main frustration comes from the fact no one has been arrested and held accountable for their crimes. He said he knew the person responsible and had surveillance video, but Woodstock Police did not talk to the suspect let alone charge him.

“They were unable to make a positive identification. I went and pounded the pavement, spoke to all of the local homeless people and showed them a picture on my phone. Every single one of them instantly named who he was by his nickname. No one at the police department knows who he is.”

The most recent break-in was through the trailer’s door two weeks ago and Ellerby believes it is the same person as the first two.

“This time he took my Square POS system which cost me over a thousand dollars to replace the next day because I can’t operate a business without it. He took a Wi-Fi tablet, maybe $150, emptied my meat cooler, took bags of cheese curds and blocks of cheese. He made three separate trips out of the trailer.”

He admitted taking the law into his own hands does cross his mind and if he ever caught a suspect in the act he would deal with it.

“What are my choices? Hey, how are you, take all my stuff. We are bordering on a lawless society here. I hate to even say it, but it's true. Property crime means nothing to the government and it means nothing to the police department anymore. Their excuse is it happens everywhere but it doesn’t have to. Somebody has to step and say let’s do something.”

He added he is going to keep taking his issues up the chain at the Woodstock Police Service if nothing gets done. He is adamant he can identify the culprit, one he believes is the same in all three crimes.

“I have a gentleman who is willing to go on record and identify him to the police and they still haven’t called him after 10 days. What’s going on? Do your damn job. That’s all I am asking.”

Ellerby said his insurance company has told him that one more claim will result in Todd’s Dogs needing to find a new provider. He added the food truck industry is a niche market and no one wants to insure it.

“My current company insures a tonne of food trucks so they are reaping the award but don’t want to pay out. They still owe me money.”

As for what’s next for the business, he may close down early this season and he is floating the idea of selling.

“Just for my own sanity. It’s not because I can afford to retire because I can’t. I have probably another three or four years realistically that I want to work but when I can’t sleep at night because I’m worried about this nonsense on top of everything else I put up with as a small business owner, it's too much.”

He added if someone came along and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, he’d take it but at the same time is grateful for his loyal patrons.

“The community has been fantastic. I can’t say anything more positive. I do just about every single factory in town for corporate events, places like Woodingford Lodge across the county. My staff knows all the regulars. Every time something happens the community is there to support me but they shouldn’t have to.”

Ellerby said he doesn’t want people to feel sorry for him. He just wants to provide a service for the community.