Trailer thieves hit Tulsa businesses

Trailer thefts are so bad in east Tulsa right now; some companies may be forced out of business. Those business owners have filed police reports, bought bigger locks, even added security cameras, but

Tuesday, May 3rd 2005, 10:15 am

By: News On 6

Trailer thefts are so bad in east Tulsa right now; some companies may be forced out of business. Those business owners have filed police reports, bought bigger locks, even added security cameras, but nothing helps. So, now, they're asking for the public's help.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says Ray Wheeler had just gotten in a load of brand new trailers Friday afternoon.

There was a 28 foot gooseneck flatbed and on top of it were two, 14-foot gooseneck dump trailers and on top of those were two, 12-foot bumper pull dump trailers. Within 48 hours, thieves had hooked up to the flatbed and taken all five. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Insurance is so hard to get. The thieves are so bad, insurance companies won't talk to you if you own a trailer place."

That's $25,000 in uninsured merchandise gone out of Ray's pocket. And it happens over and over again. They cut locks, cut fences, and pull down gates, whatever it takes to steal trailers in a hurry. And, it's not just the theft. The thieves crashed into another trailer and dented it, then crashed into another one, dented it and broke the taillight and even knocked a building off the cement blocks before they left.

All the trailer businesses in east Tulsa are going through the same thing. And even though trailers have serial numbers and a manufacturer's statement of origin, they're not tagged, which makes them easy to re-sell and hard to trace. "It has made it so hard; I don't know if I can stay in business. We work on borrowed money and can't get insurance, who wants to loan money when they could be gone, it's almost impossible."

So, while the thieves prosper, the honest, hard-working business owners may go under. Those business owners say something has got to change.

The trailer businesses say if the system can't help them, perhaps you can. They hope if you see activity on their lots after hours, you'll call police. And, if anyone tries to sell you a new trailer at a discount price, you'll also call police.

And, finally, if you know where this most recent batch of stolen trailers is, they hope you call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. If your tip leads to an arrest, you'll get a cash reward.