Thieves Appear to Be Targeting Tools in Vehicle Break-ins

Contractors and tradespeople might want to be extra vigilant and consider parking their tool-laden trucks, vans and trailers within range of security cameras. Over the past several weeks every police report has contained a couple of instances of such vehicles being broken into for the cache of power tools and materials inside.

Two more incidents were reported last week, although one had occurred some time before.

Last Tuesday, a Marshfield man reported that at some time from April 19 through 21 someone had broken into and stolen a number of power tools from his company truck while it was parked at Day’s Inn, 11811 W. Blue Mound Rd.

He said that a lock had been punched out but the break-in and theft had not been noticed until he had returned to Marshfield.

At 7:30 a.m. Thursday, an employee of Vince Ingrilli & Sons Plumbing, 6734 W. Wells St., reported that at some time since 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, someone had broken into two work vans and a covered trailer parked at the rear of the business and stolen tools and materials.

All three vehicles had been locked. The side doors of the vans had been pried open and a bolt cutter had been used to cut a lock off the trailer. The loss was still being accounted for but was estimated at $5,000.

Unfortunately, business called for the vehicles and remaining equipment to be put to use before police could investigate thoroughly, and officers were unable to recover any undisturbed evidence of the crimes.

Whenever possible, scenes of property crimes should be left as they are when the crime is discovered so that police can examine them in detail.