National Register Takes Aim at Construction Equipment Thefts - 11/29/2004 - Attorney Lawyer Legal Building Codes Zoning

National Register Takes Aim at Construction Equipment Thefts

The organization reminds developers and builders that, “fencing your work site is your first line of protection.”

So that thieves can be seen when they trespass on the site, the use of see-through fencing materials such as chain link is advised, and the area should be debris-free and any bushes or weeds should be kept trimmed back.

“Conduct routine fence inspections and promptly repair any openings,” the NER suggests. “Do not allow site materials to be piled up on either side of a fence as it may allow a thief to climb over, compromising security.”

Recent thefts and recoveries reported this month include:

• A load of 19 new Kubota RTV900 utility vehicles was stolen in Georgia when an equipment hauler left his truck briefly unattended at a rest stop.
• Narcotics officers serving a warrant at a residence in Arizona stumbled upon a stolen Ingersoll Rand G25 generator that was being used to power part of the house. The machine was returned to the victim in time for him to withdraw his insurance claim.
• An equipment rental company in Kentucky reported the theft of a Bandit 65AW commercial wood chipper in a rash of thefts as residents started digging out from several damaging tornadoes that hit the area.
• Police in Arizona discovered more than 20 pieces of stolen equipment following an investigation stemming from a buyer who reported that equipment was being sold in his community at prices that were “too good to be true.”

The NER also provides a monthly hot list of stolen machines and a phone number (866-663-7872) for reporting their recovery.

Among machines listed for October were:

• A Bobcat, Model 863 skid steer, with a Product Identification Number of 514425848, in Pennsylvania
• A John Deere Gator utility cart, with a PIN of W006X4X047688, in Illinois
• A Kubota L-3710 utility tractor, PIN 73221, in Flordia
• A Yanmar B-50-2-B mini excavator, PIN 65179, in South Carolina.

The phone number for a law enforcement hotline is 866-FIND-PIN.