June 4, 2009:
Cicero (WSYR-TV) - We put you On The Lookout earlier this week -- and now Cicero police have recovered some of the stolen construction-grade tools that have been taken from cars and trailers.
Police traced these tools, worth thousands of dollars, from Craigslist to a local pawn shop. The shop then provided them with information about the person who sold them the tools.
Police have charged 28-year-old James Fuller of Brewerton with possession of stolen property -- but the investigation is far from over.
Police aren't sure Fuller was responsible for all of the thefts, and there are still a lot of tools that haven't been recovered.
June 1, 2009:
Construction equipment stolen from homes, businesses
Cicero (WSYR-TV) – Police in the Town of Cicero have noticed thieves targeting neighborhoods and construction sites, stealing construction-grade tools. In the last few weeks, as much as $11,000 worth of tools have been stolen.
Some of the streets targeted were Chetwind Drive, Bayview Drive and locations right off of Route 11 and Route 31.
Chief Joe Snell with the Cicero Police Department says to have five of them since April 1st to disappear is a lot.
Police say the thefts start sometime around midnight and can happen into the wee early morning hours.
Thieves hit pickup trucks in neighborhoods and construction sites that are leased to small independent contractors for construction-grade tools. They steal equipment that a professional contractor would use, such as large compressors or saws. “What we're being told is that these tools are really hot on the black market; they can be sold very quickly and most of them can't be traced,” said Chief Snell.
Most of the incidents have occurred near areas that see high traffic during daytime hours. The latest occurred right off Route 11, near the Route 481 interchange. Thieves hit up a trailer hidden behind a fence and made off with thousands of dollars in equipment. Cicero police still haven't been able to find them.
Police also haven't been able to track down the tools; they've been to all the local pawn shops and have come up empty. “These items are really difficult to trace, no serial numbers, contractors didn't write them down,” Chief Snell said.
Cicero police say to keep an eye out in your neighborhood or near your business during late night, early morning hours. If you see someone driving around who doesn't belong call 911.
To help police in case your construction equipment is stolen, make sure your write down your equipment’s serial numbers.
