The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said construction site thefts are picking up again, and the most recent one left a company out almost $100,000 worth of equipment. DCSO said two men pulled up to a construction site near 208th and Hartman streets overnight on Tuesday, hooked up to a trailer, and took off.”What we believe to be a Toyota Tundra, newer model, came and took our trailer loaded with approximately $50,000 and tools and landscaping equipment,” said Deputy John McFarland.That equipment belongs to Jason Porto, who owns Ground Builders Landscaping.”Each of our crews operate independently with all their own tools, everything in their trailer. So that’s all the tools that you use for their jobs. Just totally packed full in these trailers,” Porto said.Porto said the burglars stole a skid loader that costs about $35,000 to $40,000 to replace, plus, another $60,000 to $80,000 worth of tools and saws. And insurance doesn’t cover all of it.”You feel really, feel really for the crew who’s, you know, trying to make a living and be productive on sites and make their job easier. And all the stuff they have that we’ve invested in to help make their jobs easier is just gone,” Porto said.Deputies say the thieves unloaded the trailer in a matter of hours and dumped it about 10 miles away near 120th and Rose streets.That’s where the cameras picked them up.”Cameras are invaluable to us. That’s how we get our leads. In these cases,” McFarland said.Deputies said they’ve seen a surge in crimes like this.”In the last month, we’ve really seen an uptick in construction thefts across the county. It’s not in one specific area. It’s across county, which makes it a little more frustrating when you’re trying to target patrols in those areas,” McFarland said.Detectives spend hours scouring resale sites and pawn shops trying to get the victims their tools back and justice.”I love for like, you know, justice to be had or whatnot, but I’m not necessarily looking to come down on them. I just would like the items returned. And so, we can just do our jobs,” Porto said.Deputies ask the public to keep an eye out for tools for sale that may still have the Ground Builders logo on them.If you recognize the two men or their newer model pickup truck, call 402-444-6000.Get the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said construction site thefts are picking up again, and the most recent one left a company out almost $100,000 worth of equipment.
DCSO said two men pulled up to a construction site near 208th and Hartman streets overnight on Tuesday, hooked up to a trailer, and took off.
“What we believe to be a Toyota Tundra, newer model, came and took our trailer loaded with approximately $50,000 and tools and landscaping equipment,” said Deputy John McFarland.
That equipment belongs to Jason Porto, who owns Ground Builders Landscaping.
“Each of our crews operate independently with all their own tools, everything in their trailer. So that’s all the tools that you use for their jobs. Just totally packed full in these trailers,” Porto said.
Porto said the burglars stole a skid loader that costs about $35,000 to $40,000 to replace, plus, another $60,000 to $80,000 worth of tools and saws.
And insurance doesn’t cover all of it.
“You feel really, feel really for the crew who’s, you know, trying to make a living and be productive on sites and make their job easier. And all the stuff they have that we’ve invested in to help make their jobs easier is just gone,” Porto said.
Deputies say the thieves unloaded the trailer in a matter of hours and dumped it about 10 miles away near 120th and Rose streets.
That’s where the cameras picked them up.
“Cameras are invaluable to us. That’s how we get our leads. In these cases,” McFarland said.
Deputies said they’ve seen a surge in crimes like this.
“In the last month, we’ve really seen an uptick in construction thefts across the county. It’s not in one specific area. It’s across county, which makes it a little more frustrating when you’re trying to target patrols in those areas,” McFarland said.
Detectives spend hours scouring resale sites and pawn shops trying to get the victims their tools back and justice.
“I love for like, you know, justice to be had or whatnot, but I’m not necessarily looking to come down on them. I just would like the items returned. And so, we can just do our jobs,” Porto said.
Deputies ask the public to keep an eye out for tools for sale that may still have the Ground Builders logo on them.
If you recognize the two men or their newer model pickup truck, call 402-444-6000.
Get the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
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