Tulsa Law Agencies Warn Of Trailer Thefts

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Law enforcement agencies in the Tulsa area will agree the one crime they see that's reached epidemic proportions is trailer theft.  Trailers disappear at an alarming rate and are rarely recovered, even when there's video surveillance of the crime.

Ray Robinson uses his work trailer all the time.  Just two weeks ago, he hauled home a tractor with it, so he can make some repairs.  He had unloaded the tractor and the trailer was parked in front of it until Wednesday around 1:30 in the afternoon.

"I got a phone call from my neighbor saying someone is hooking up to my trailer," said Ray Robinson.

By the time Robinson hurried home, the trailer had already disappeared from his usually quiet, dead end street.

Robinson normally uses his truck to block the trailer, but had gone to a friend's house, just five minutes away. The trailer was unprotected and it was gone.

Tulsa Police officers noticed a business down the block had surveillance cameras, so they asked Artic Restaurant Equipment and Supply if they had video and sure enough, they did.

The video shows a white truck pull into the street and just one minute and 41 seconds later, you can see the truck pulling out, with the trailer in tow.

Artic's owner feels for the victim.

"I hope he can get it back; I've lost two trailers," said Artic's Darrel Crowl.

Robinson had just put new tires on the trailer and sure wishes he would've locked it.

"I figure they probably already sold it or had it sold when they got it. Pretty sure they're not driving around town with it," said Ray Robinson.

Ray hopes wherever it is, he will eventually get it back.

In addition to locking trailers and blocking them in, you can also take them to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office for free marking and registration.  GPS tracking devices are also available.