VALDOSTA —
Several area lawn-service companies have reported equipment thefts recently while working their customers’ yards.
For example, a lawn-service worker may be in the back yard weed-eating. Upon returning to the truck and trailer parked in the front yard, the lawn mower is gone. All in the middle of the day, all on several occasions recently in Valdosta and Lowndes County.
“It is daring,” Valdosta Police Cmdr. Brian Childress said Wednesday, “because of the potential of getting caught by the workers and neighbors.”
Checking with Sgt. Kari Williams of the VPD’s Property Crimes Unit, Childress said the city has experienced an increase in thefts of lawn mowers and weed-eaters in recent weeks, which is normal for the summer season.
What’s different this summer is the targeting of lawn-service companies while they are working on site.
The VPD had no immediate numbers for these types of thefts, but is working with local businesses in hopes of resolving these cases. Both Valdosta Police Department and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office are working these types of cases.
Childress said lawn-care services should take precautions to protect against theft and help in recovering stolen items.
Lawn-care workers should place bicycle chains around equipment not in use while they are working. Childress said bike chains can easily be cut but, given the nature of these particular cases, thieves are looking for equipment that can be moved as quickly as possible without attracting attention.
The commander also suggested for lawn-care services, and for all consumers whether purchasing a lawn mower or a refrigerator, keep the owner’s manual in a safe place where it can be easily retrieved by the property owner. Owner manuals contain the equipment’s serial numbers but also photographs of the item.
A manual gives the reporting officer invaluable information in theft cases. The stolen item’s serial number can be filed with the National Crime Information Center. If the stolen item is sold at a pawn shop, the serial number leads investigators to the property’s recovery and possibly the arrest of a suspect.
Regarding lawn-service thefts, customers and neighbors should also be vigilant. If they see people moving equipment from the lawn-service truck to another vehicle, alert the lawn-service employees, call 9-11, and record the other vehicle’s license plate numbers.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts or other crimes should call Valdosta Police Department at (229) 293-3145; or can remain anonymous at (229) 293-3091; or the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations, (229) 671-2950.
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Several area lawn-service companies have reported equipment thefts recently while working their customers’ yards.
Discussion
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Thieves target lawn services
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