Construction Site Sting Operation

This is encouraging. The College Station Police Department in Texas, along with local contractors, is operating stings to catch construction site burglars, according to KBTX.com.

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/53945082.html

Good for them. The only problem is, is I doubt police departments will follow their example in urban areas where the police have more to worry about.

Follow Up: NC Theft Ring

More information has come out about Ray Moore of Selma, NC, who operated a construction site theft ring. Apparently this man is a career criminal and the amount of materials he stole from construction sites is pretty astonishing. The Cary News reports he stole, “50 appliances, 25 light fixtures, 203 windows, 143 doors, 22 tools, 368 boxes of hardwood and laminate flooring, 142 boxes of tile, 17 whirlpool tubs and 21 sets of cabinets.”

http://www.carynews.com/news/story/13207.html

So if you live near this guy, and you had your windows or your whirlpool stolen, odds are he took it.

NC Construction Site Theft Ring Busted

North Carolina’s WMBF news reports a 61 year-old man in a wheel-chair, named Ray Moore of Selma, NC, operated a construction site theft ring. And this is the best part; when the police went to his house to arrest him for illegally distributing prescription drugs, they found an inventory of stolen construction materials. According to WMBF, “Officials recovered 50 appliances, 368 boxes of hardwood and laminate flooring, 17 whirlpool tubs and hundreds of other items from barns and storage buildings on Moore's land.”

http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=10891594

To Whom It May Concern at WMBF of North Carolina, please keep us updated on this story, because I’m sure there’s more to learn about Ray Moore and his criminal career.

Thieves Enter Building Supply Company through the Roof

Power tool theft isn’t just a US problem, it occurs all around the world. Take this story out of the UK for example. A gang of very sophisticated thieves stole £14,000 worth of power tools by entering a building supply company through the roof.

DaventryToday.co.uk reports that “Branch manager Simon Bullock said: ‘It was clearly well organized, well planned and well executed. They even smashed the CCTV cameras on our building so we only have hazy, distant shots of their getaway vehicle.’” The article goes on to state that, “TBS has a sophisticated alarm system installed, but the gang got around it by never touching the ground.”

http://www.daventrytoday.co.uk/news/Gang-breaks-in-through-roof.5527210.jp

Were they Ninjas? Pretty unbelievable. I’m surprised they didn’t steal more. The article suggests there were probably 4 thieves, so that’s £3,500 a piece. And then add up the ebay fees to resell the stuff which is roughly 6% or £210 and the cost of cool ninja costumes and the take is probably around £3,000 a piece. You would think these sophisticated thieves would go for more lucrative targets. Maybe this was just a training run.

Government Workers Steal, Borrow, or Loan Out City Tools

Hmm, imagine that...government workers borrow and steal from the government and taxpayers. According to Syracuse.com, “Last November, Auburn's city manager, flanked by the city police chief and county district attorney, issued a stern warning to his DPW employees after learning they had been stealing, borrowing or loaning out city tools and equipment for years.”

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/auburn_city_worker_faces_jail.html

FOR YEARS! No private sector business or organization would allow their employees to steal tools and equipment over a period of several years. The article states that after a stern warning was delivered by the city manager and city police chief, “Some $10,000 worth of city tools and equipment were returned, but no one was arrested.” If $10k worth of equipment was returned out of guilt, imagine just how much more equipment was actually stolen.

Thief Crashes Bobcat into Utility Pole While Fleeing from Police

The Buffalo News reports “Erie County deputies said he had hot-wired and driven nearly half a mile before crashing into a telephone pole at Baseline and Bedell roads on Grand Island.” The article states, “they [the officers] found Sander driving it north in the southbound lane.”

http://www.buffalonews.com/437/story/750968.html

Well Jared A. Sander, 31, of Carol Lane on Grand Island, what on earth made you think you could out-run police officers in a Bobcat? I’m surprised the article doesn’t say that he was intoxicated; because you would have to be completely drunk to believe that a skid-steer is an adequate get-a-way vehicle.

Copper Thefts Down because of New Laws?

I’m always skeptical when law makers claim their laws have dramatic positive affects on society, and especially on crime. We constantly here about new laws for “The War on Drugs,” “The War on Terror,” and “The War on Poverty;” yet all of these problems persist and in most cases seem to get worse. Nobody is claiming to be conducting a “War on Metal Thefts,” but this is one of those problems that will continue to persist no matter what laws we create.

San Diego’s Union Tribune reports that “A state law that took effect Dec. 1, and a drop in copper prices have all but ended bulk metal theft in the state, officials say.” According to the article, a Fallbrook sheriff's Sgt. states, “I haven't seen any cases of metal theft in a long time, ever since the new law was enacted.”

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/29/new-law-lower-prices-put-big-bite-metal-thefts/?metro&zIndex=140058

So the new laws are; scrap-metal dealers buying bulk metal must;
Get a photo ID from anyone selling metal
Delay payment for three days
Pay metal sellers only by check
Photograph metal being sold
Take the seller's thumbprint

These new laws absolutely make sense. It limits thieves’ ability to easily sell stolen metal and it also limits scrap dealers willingness to buy suspected stolen metal. And honestly, many of these scrap-metal dealers had to know they were buying tons of stolen metal and many of them are just as guilty as the metal thieves.

But to say that these new laws will completely stop bulk metal theft, as the article and California officials claim, is rather ignorant and improbable. First of all, the law was only enacted 8 months ago; which means, after thieves find new black markets to sell their stolen metal in, thefts will rise again.

Copper prices are the real reason I am skeptical of this article and its claims. The price of copper has absolutely crashed since the height of the bubble. And in December 2008, when these new scrap-metal laws were passed, copper made a historical low. And because of these historically low prices, metal thefts around the country have declined dramatically. These new laws are necessary, but I wouldn’t let my guard down and leave spools of copper unprotected.

As you can see in the chart below, copper prices are rising again, and it will be interesting to see if thefts rise as well.

Cedar City, Utah Experiencing Many Construction Burglaries

Even though thespectrum.com article states that local police believe the three latest thefts are unrelated, it’s hard to believe that they're not. Obviously the Cedar City police won’t say the burglaries are connected until they’re absolutely sure. However, with all of the jobsites having trailers broken into, it’s more-than-likely thieves who have become very efficient at breaking into, and emptying, equipment storage trailers.

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20090801/NEWS01/908010314

Gymnast Climbs Building to Steal Copper

Seriously, a gymnast used his gymnastic skills to scale buildings and steal copper from air-conditioning units. Think about it... tumbling, flipping, and prancing around probably doesn’t pay to well, so becoming a copper thief makes total sense.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2009/07/29/man_scaled_buildings_to_steal.html

Video: Stolen Telehandler Used to Steal ATM

Apparently professional thieves in the Atlanta area have been using stolen trucks and heavy equipment to steal ATM machines. According to OnlineAthens.com, local police claim, “The heists appear to be the work of a group of professional thieves who target banks near construction sites, where they steal forklifts and use them to rip the money machines from the ground and hoist them onto the beds of stolen pickup trucks.” There have been many other similar burglaries since December 2007 in the area.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/072509/new_470686900.shtml

You would think an ATM machine would put up more of a fight. I know telehandlers are powerful, but they plucked that ATM up like it was nothing.

Miami Regional Theft Summit

I have never attended a National Equipment Register event or summit, but they are hosting one in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale region and I assumed some of you may be interested in attending this event. It is free for equipment owners, law enforcement and insurance professionals. The details of the event can be found at the following link.

http://events.linkedin.com/Ner-Regional-Theft-Summit-Miami/pub/90330

If you go, let us know what you thought of the event.

Tool Thief Escapes while Officer orders McD’s

I would actually say that Richard Zukoski of Port Richey, FL is rather sharp on his feet. Then again he was dumb enough to leave the tools which he stole from his neighbor’s truck on his front porch.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1020150.ece

Construction Supply Co. Manages Theft Ring

Denton, TX police began an investigation in May when 2 large trucks filled with 1,200 bundles of shingles were found in a 64 year-old man’s construction materials business. According to DentonRC.com, “Denton police officers searched Jose Coria’s home and three businesses in Dallas after he was arrested about 11 a.m. Sunday, seizing $362,000 in cash scattered throughout his home, hidden in shirt pockets and in bathroom cabinets”

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_Theft_Ring_0720.59b7ff87.html

So basically, Jose Coria of Denton, TX was coordinating a construction site theft ring which then sold the stolen materials through his construction materials business. That takes some serious balls. He was probably stealing from the same customers he sold to.

Man Arrested for Stealing over $1-million in Construction Equipment

Another big construction site burglar has been caught. According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, Rashad Muhammad, 23, of the 5700 block of Tivoli Circle in Henrico County was arrested for stealing construction equipment valued at $1-million.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/THEFTGAT17_20090717-085802/280559/

That is an enormous amount of equipment, there’s no way he was working alone. It would take a lifetime to steal $1-million worth of power-tools and the odds of getting caught would be very high, considering the local pawn shop would eventually catch on to his endless supply of tools. Therefore, he was more than likely stealing heavy equipment which is usually done in teams. And of course, it begs the question, who was purchasing $1-million worth of equipment from him? And will the buyers be prosecuted as well?

Habitat for Humanity Suffers from Many Thefts

I scan news sources on a daily basis looking for construction related thefts and security news. One recurring story I come across routinely involves Habitat for Humanity construction sites being burglarized and vandalized. Here are 3 different stories from Detroit, Buffalo, and Springfield Mass all within 2 weeks of each other.

Thieves steal plumbing equipment, electrical fixtures from Habitat for Humanity house under construction in Springfield
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/thieves_steal_plumbing_equipme.html

Tools Stolen From Habitat for Humanity
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68240&provider=gnews

Assault leads Habitat to change worker policies
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090706/METRO01/907060321/1409/METRO/Assault-leads-Habitat-to-change-worker-policies

Why does Habitat suffer from so many thefts? Obviously they can’t afford to have round-the-clock security, but nearly all single family home construction projects operate with minimal security and it seems as if Habitat experiences a high level of thefts. Do thieves know Habitat jobsites have poor security and are easy targets? Or is it possible that local news sources focus on these stories because a nationwide organization of volunteers is being targeted, which makes the problem seem worse than it is? Either way, it seems Habitat for Humanity needs to work on their theft prevention policies.

Pop Quiz, What Costs $200k and can be Stolen from a Construction Trailer?

Seriously, I don’t know the answer to this pop quiz and the author of this WAFF 48 News article doesn’t know either. The only clues are that the equipment is electronic and GPS equipped, and it belonged to a grading and excavating company. If you know the answer to this pop quiz and more importantly who stole the equipment, you could win $11,000. Read the article to find out how to collect your prize from the victim and police.

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=10734318

Chased by Construction Workers Carrying 2x4s

This article is just a short crime report from SeaCoastOnline.com. They state, “Police allege he stole a wallet from a parked truck, then was chased by nearby construction workers carrying two-by-fours,” and then that’s it! They end the report! What the heck? Don’t leave us hanging. Did the construction workers give the thief the 2x4 beat-down he deserves? I guess we’ll never know.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090714/NEWS/90714029/-1/NEWSMAP

Crown Molding is the New Copper

The Daily News Transcript reports that thieves stole crown and side molding from doors and windows of a Whiting Ave. home in Dedham, MA. I’ll keep ya posted on this one, I can’t wait to find out who did it and why. It has to be someone who worked at the home. How else would they know the molding was nice enough to steal?

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x662536703/Burglars-steal-molding-from-Dedham-home

$3.3-million Theft Ring

Wow, this is insane. The Columbus Dispatch reports that Huey Granderson, a 33 year old Millersport resident, operated a $3.3-million theft ring with 9 others who stole construction equipment and tools.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/07/10/hgranderson.html?sid=101

Watch Out for a Band of Gypsies

Niagara Gazette reports that, “A-Best Roofing and Siding may have been burglarized so that thieves could access names and addresses of pending work orders before scamming those customers using the legitimate contractor’s identity.” Apparently similar burglaries have happened before. The article states, “others have been broken into by this ‘band of gypsies’ who stole their contracts...they broke into the office, went through the files and stole nothing other than copies of their contracts.”

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/crime/local_story_181200213.html

I doubt this band of gypsies is stealing contracts to do the actual work (most thieves avoid actual work, that’s how they ended up as criminals in the first place). Odds are, they are stealing these contracts to pose as the contractors and collect payments or to take tools and equipment from jobsites.

If true, this is a bold theft to pull off. Breaking into an office to steal contracts isn’t the boldest act; the truly shameless act is going to the customer’s home, posing as the contractor, and then taking payment for work.

Turns Out They Had a Meth Lab as Well

Thanks to Doug for sending me this article. Apparently the couple mentioned in one of my previous posts, Kelly Hilbun, 47, and Terri Hilbun, 46, of Whitefish Montana were not only stealing construction equipment, but they were operating a meth lab as well. I love a good meth lab bust.

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=10590913&nav=menu227_7

Six Robbers Tie-Up Security Guard on July 4th

According to FortBendNow.com, “A Missouri City construction-site security guard spent the end of Independence Day tied up, helplessly watching as six robbers loaded $38,000 worth of construction materials onto a truck.” This is pretty nuts and I’m sure we’ll here plenty more stories about July 4th thefts as well.

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/07/06/38877

Rent Equipment, and then Pawn it

I love this short article. Adam T. Arena of Manatee Florida must of though he was an absolute genius when he dreamt up this great idea. “First, I’ll rent equipment from a rental business, then, I’ll go to the pawn shop and collect my cash. It’ll be impossible to catch me!” Of course, Adam T. Arena has absolutely no idea how stupid he really is. The pawn shop owner should be punished as well. How they get away with purchasing large pieces of equipment without seeing proof of ownership is criminal in itself.

http://www.bradenton.com/news/breaking_news/story/1522350.html

Tools and Equipment Stolen by Couple

A primary goal of this blog is to highlight the unbelievable amount of construction site thefts. Most of our posts will be dedicated to passing along news articles to you about jobsite thefts. We feel compelled to do this because; first, we want to further expose the criminals who steal our stuff, and secondly, we want to comment on growing trends in theft and learn from other people’s experiences.

For example, dailyinterlake.com recently reported that “The couple, Kelly Howard Hilbun, 47 and Terri Ann Hilbun, 46, so far have been connected with about 30 theft cases in Flathead Valley construction sites that may go back as far as 2005.”

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2009/06/25/news/local_montana/news_8754107236_05.txt

So first, we want to spread the word about these two criminals, Kelly Howard Hilbun and Terri Ann Hilbun of Whitefish Montana.

And secondly, we liked this article because of what one of the victims did. According to the article, “he [victim] saw some of his tools for sale online, bought them to confirm they were his, and then contacted the Sheriff's Office.” Kudos to the victim for keeping an eye out for his tools. According to analysts, roughly 97% of equipment thefts are recovered in the same state/region they were stolen in. Meaning, if your equipment has been stolen, odds are, it’s relatively close by. So don’t give up on finding your stolen assets.

Lojack’s Annual Theft Study

During the 2004 to 2006 copper, aluminum, and metals price-spikes, we as industry witnessed countless construction site thefts. Burglars were striping copper wire and aluminum gutters out of homes and buildings. Here in DC and all over the country, people were actually stealing man-hole covers and abandoned cars to cash in on the high metals’ prices.

And once again, as a result of the economy, burglars are targeting construction sites. Out of desperation, they are stealing heavy equipment, trucks & trailers, portable equipment, and appliances.

According to Logjack’s Annual Theft Study, “newer equipment on the job site is the most common theft target because of higher resale value.” The study lists the types of equipment most frequently stolen are (in order):

1. Backhoe Loaders/Skip Loaders/Wheel Loaders/Track Loaders
2. Light Utility/Work Trucks and Trailers
3. Generators/Air Compressors/Welders
4. Skid Steers
5. Forklifts/Scissor Lifts

http://www.lojack.com/about/Documents/ConstTheftStudy2008Final.pdf

Protecting your equipment is more important than ever. Surviving in this difficult economy is hard enough and losing a major piece of equipment to theft could easily sink your entire operation.