Work Van Owners Beware, Thieves Are After The Valuable Tools
PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - Parker police say thieves are targeting work trucks and vans in the area.
Investigators say they have seen six cases in just a little over a month. At least one of the businesses, Pine Valley Electric Inc., had surveillance cameras and was able to capture video of the thief in the act.
"They got about $10,000 worth of material," said Kevin Behrends, who owns the company.
The video shows one male suspect in a blue sweatshirt with a dark baseball hat driving on to the private property. The suspect vehicle is a white Chevy pickup with an extended cab and silver tool box in the bed.
"It's hard on business owners because not only did we lose company tools, but my employees lost tools and I replace those for them also," Behrends said. "So it's very costly and it just goes to the bottom line. It costs everybody a lot of money."
Parker police are now investigating six similar cases that have occurred since mid-November. Each one involves work vans and trucks belonging to electrical and heating and air-conditioning companies. In all but two of the cases business owners have lost valuable tools and material.
"Overall they are billboards of opportunities when it comes to these types of crimes because these trucks consist of hand tools and power tools expensive equipment."
Police are hoping someone will recognize either the suspect or the truck he's driving. They are also asking business owners to take whatever steps are necessary to avoid falling victim. For Behrend that means clearing out his vans when the day is over.
"Now we are bringing everything in to the shop every day, which always adds more time to the jobs and more costs to the business, but we can't afford to lose $10,000 worth of tools," he said.
Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.
