In a recent large-scale theft case, Maryland police were able to retrieve around 15,000 stolen construction tools because of a quick-thinking carpenter seeking justice.
At the time of the raid, on May 23, the Howard County Police Department described the investigation as “one of the largest and most expensive theft cases in the region in recent years.
The 15,000 tools that were recently discovered in a storage facility were estimated by authorities to be worth $3 to $5 million. The Washington Post claims that a Virginia carpenter played a crucial role in assisting law enforcement in solving the case.
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The carpenter, whose name has not been made public, had his vans broken into twice and was desperate to find the culprits. In order to track the thieves if they returned, he concealed many AirTags in some of his heavier tools. On January 22, they did.
The proprietor of the company, who, according to the Post, employs about 14 people, located the suspects in a storage facility and informed the police.
Only a few of the approximately fifty tools that were taken by the carpenter have been found. The carpenter remarked, “They don’t know what they do to me.” “They steal our job.” In a news release, the police acknowledged the usage of a tracking device during the inquiry.
During the investigation, which began in late January when a tracking device in a stolen tool led officers to a storage unit in Elkridge, detectives have conducted search warrants at 12 locations – 11 of which are in Howard County – from where they recovered the tools,” the statement continues.
Detectives believe the tools were stolen from retail stores, businesses, vehicles, residential properties, and construction sites primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania,” the police stated. “Detectives believe the stolen tools were sold at various locations and through various means. They were primarily stored in storage units in Howard County.
No suspects have been charged as of yet. About 80 victims of the theft case, according to police, are urged to get in touch with them so they can get their stolen goods back.
Gregory Der, the chief of police for Howard County, congratulated his staff for their efforts on the case. “This case sends a clear message: We will not tolerate criminal enterprises operating here in Howard County,” Der said.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the cops who have contributed to this massive and unusual case, as well as the investigators from our special investigations section. They still have a tonne of work ahead of them despite having put in thousands of hours.
They’ll stick with it until the very finish.” Calvin Ball, the executive of Howard County, also praised the authorities for their role in the case.
