Owner reacts to sentence for man who stole 'Scat Rat' drag racer

With one of the men accused of stealing his prized drag racer now convicted and sentenced, the owner of the Scat Rat says he still has questions about the theft.

The souped-up 1968 Oldsmobile was stolen in the June 2014. It was recovered in pieces a few months later.

On Monday, Sheldon Killam was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to possessing stolen property over $5,000.

Bob Heroux, who built the Scat Rat with his kids over decades, said he had hoped to see Killam get three years. But more than that, he said what he really wants is information.

Because Killam didn’t go to trial, Heroux said he’s still left wondering how and why thieves targeted his car, which was stored at his Lazer Autobody business.

“I wanted to hear the whole story and I wish it would have went to trial and I wish I could have went on the stand. There are some things I wish could have happened,” he said.

With co-accused Norm Hill scheduled for a trial in October, Heroux said he hopes he’ll still get a chance to hear a full account of what happened.

In the meantime, Heroux said he and his family have been enjoying a new drag racer they built around the engine recovered from the old one. He said his son has been finding success racing the new car.

“He won the championship with that car last year, so memories are already starting,” he said.