Businesses Tired Of Equipment Theft

An East Tulsa business got hit with a $20,000 to $30,000 loss.

Monday, September 29th 2008, 5:44 pm

By: News On 6

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- An East Tulsa business got hit with a $20,000 to $30,000 loss. The owner of a heating and air conditioning company went to work on Monday and found burglars had cut through a fence and made off with all kinds of equipment.

This type of theft is hugely expensive for businesses and they are sick of it. Police are responding with a new innovative program designed to track down stolen equipment.

The thieves stole a trailer from a business next door, then cut through the back fence of Comfort Control, knocked over a pole and made a beeline for this shed that wasn't alarmed, ignoring the main building that was.

"They tore that door open with a crow bar, then just ripped this up," said Jim Treeman.

They took generators, welders and a brand new Kawasaki mule along with other smaller items.

"It's frustrating, you work to pay for stuff and people just take it," said Treeman.

Comfort Control has been hit before, the thieves used to come in the front, until the company built an iron gate and fence.

Just six weeks ago, thieves took a trailer much like this one. Now, they keep their trailer attached to a vehicle. So, the crooks tried to steal both the truck and trailer this time.

"They just tore off this handle and reach in her and lift these little deals up," said Treeman.

They ripped wires out of the steering column and rummaged through everything in the glove box.

Police are using a new tool called the National Equipment Registry to try to track down some of this missing equipment that doesn't always have tags, titles or standard identification numbers. They are also asking for citizens to help.

"If people are driving by and looking, after hours, constructions sites, there shouldn't be anybody out there. Call police. At the bare minimum we can go out and talk to them and get names," said TPD Sgt. Brandon Watkins.

Officers encourage businesses to use alarms and set up surveillance cameras as well as signing up with the National Equipment Registry.