$2 Million Gone in Minutes: Why This Oakville Dealership Needed Commercial Bollards
It happened in the middle of the night while most of us were sleeping. At 3:35 a.m. on January 11th, masked thieves smashed through the front window of Lockwood Leasing on South Service Road in Oakville. Within minutes, they had accessed the key lockbox and driven off with eight luxury vehicles:a Ferrari, two Porsches, three Mercedes-Benz models, and two BMWs. Total value? Approximately $2 million.
The surveillance footage tells a story every dealership owner, auto repair shop, and luxury car storage facility in the GTA needs to see. This wasn’t random, it was organized, efficient, and devastatingly effective.
When Windows and Alarm Systems Aren't Enough
Mark Kusiewicz, the dealership manager with over 40 years in the automotive industry, spoke to CP24 about the incident. Standing in his now-empty showroom, he expressed what many business owners are feeling: “You hear about it. You see it. Then when it happens to you, it’s quite surreal.”
Lockwood Leasing had security measures in place. They had cameras. They had an alarm system. But when determined criminals arrived with a plan, none of those electronic systems could physically stop them from smashing through glass, grabbing keys, and driving away with millions in inventory.
Two suspects have been charged so far—Amin Hadj Kaddour, 24, of Mississauga, and Joshua Twa’colagiacomo, 24, of Victoria Harbour—but Halton police are still searching for additional suspects and several missing vehicles. Four cars have been recovered abandoned across the GTA, but the Ferrari (worth approximately $620,000 alone), along with several other high-end vehicles, remain missing.
The Real Cost Goes Beyond the Sticker Price
When a dealership loses $2 million in inventory overnight, the financial impact extends far beyond the vehicle values:
- Insurance premiums skyrocket
- Customer trust erodes
- Replacement inventory becomes harder to secure
- Business operations grind to a halt during investigations
- Revenue loss from vehicles that can’t be sold
- Potential closure during repairs and security upgrades
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, auto theft insurance claims hit a record $1.5 billion in 2023. Commercial losses like this Oakville heist contribute significantly to that staggering number.
Where do these stolen luxury cars end up? According to industry experts, many are moved eastward before being shipped overseas to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, or Europe, where they can fetch double their Canadian value. This isn’t an isolated incident—similar organized dealership heists have occurred across North America, with authorities in Massachusetts arraigning suspects tied to a theft ring responsible for stealing at least 63 luxury vehicles worth over $2.6 million in 2024.
Commercial Bollards: The Physical Barrier Your Business Needs
Here’s what every automotive business owner needs to understand: electronic security systems alert you to a breach, but they don’t prevent it. Cameras capture footage, but they don’t stop vehicles from being driven away. Alarm systems notify authorities, but by the time police arrive, your inventory is gone.
Commercial bollards provide what glass windows, alarm systems, and cameras cannot: a physical barrier that prevents unauthorized vehicle access and exit. When properly installed around your property perimeter, showroom entrances, and parking areas, commercial bollards create a fortress that forces criminals to abandon their plans before they can access your valuable inventory.
Consider what commercial bollards could have prevented in the Lockwood Leasing case:
- Perimeter Protection: Bollards around the property would have prevented thieves from driving stolen vehicles off the lot
- Entry Point Security: Strategic bollard placement at building entrances creates physical barriers that can’t be bypassed by simply smashing glass
- Inventory Protection: Bollards installed around high-value vehicle parking areas add an extra layer of security for premium inventory
- Deterrent Effect: Visible commercial bollards signal to organized theft rings that your business isn’t an easy target
Who Needs Commercial Bollards in the GTA?
If your business involves high-value vehicles or equipment, commercial bollards should be part of your security infrastructure:
- Auto Dealerships: Protect millions in inventory from organized theft rings
- Luxury Car Storage Facilities: Secure high-end vehicles for clients who trust you with their investments
- Auto Repair and Body Shops: Prevent theft of customer vehicles during service
- Car Rental Agencies: Protect fleet vehicles from after-hours theft
- Collision Centers: Secure damaged vehicles and prevent opportunistic theft
- Equipment Rental Companies: Protect valuable machinery and vehicles
- Commercial Parking Facilities: Add security for businesses storing valuable vehicles
The Bollard Boys GTA Difference
At Bollard Boys GTA, we specialize in selling and installing commercial-grade bollards designed to withstand forced entry attempts and protect your business assets. Our commercial bollards are engineered for:
- Maximum Security: Built to stop vehicles and create impenetrable barriers
- Professional Installation: Properly installed to meet commercial security standards
- Custom Solutions: Tailored to your property layout and specific security needs
- Aesthetic Integration: Professional appearance that enhances rather than detracts from your property
- Long-Term Durability: Weather-resistant materials designed for years of reliable protection
We serve auto dealerships, repair shops, storage facilities, and businesses throughout Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, and the entire GTA.
Don't Wait Until It's Your Business on the News
The Lockwood Leasing manager said it best: “There has to be something to stop these people from getting away with this kind of stuff.” While law enforcement works to dismantle organized theft rings, business owners need to take proactive steps to protect their inventory, their customers, and their livelihoods.
Installing commercial bollards is about preventing theft and ensuring business continuity, insurance savings, customer confidence, and peace of mind. It’s knowing that even if criminals target your area, your business won’t be the easy mark they’re looking for.
Contact Bollard Boys GTA today for a free commercial security consultation. Our team will assess your property, identify vulnerabilities, and design a commercial bollard solution that protects your business.
Protect your inventory. Protect your business. Protect your future.