'The scope of this investigation is enormous': 15,000 stolen tools recovered in Howard Co.
Last edited Sat May 25, 2024, 06:30 AM - Edit history (3)
The scope of this investigation is enormous: 15,000 stolen tools recovered in Howard Co.
Thomas Robertson | trobertson@wtop.com
Will Vitka | will.vitka@wtop.com
May 24, 2024, 1:31 PM
Police in Howard County, Maryland, have recovered more than 15,000 stolen pieces of construction equipment valued at between $3 million and $5 million in what officials said is one of the largest and most expansive theft cases in the region in recent years.
The scope of this investigation is enormous and its ongoing, Howard County police Chief Gregory Der said at a news conference. It is a huge undertaking.
We have identified more than 80 victims to date, mostly from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and believe there are hundreds, if not thousands, more, Der said.
The investigation began in January, when one of those victims, from Virginia, had equipment stolen that had a tracking device inside. That led police to a storage unit in Elkridge, and eventually officers conducted search warrants on 12 total locations, 11 of which were in Howard County, according to Der.
According to police, the tools were stolen from retail stores, businesses, vehicles, residential properties and construction sites and were kept in storage units.
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