Gina V. Hawkins

Chief of Police

Release: IMMEDIATE                          Contact: Lt. T. Joyce, Public Information Officer

Date: August 25, 2017                         Phone: (910) 433-1374

Lawn Equipment Thefts

(Fayetteville, NC) – Detectives with the FPD’s Property Crimes Unit are currently investigating a half dozen breaking and entering offenses associated with the theft of lawn equipment.  These incidents have included enclosed trailers and storage sheds in neighborhoods near Bordeaux and Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

In many of the incidents, the theft of the lawn equipment is from individuals who perform lawn care maintenance and landscaping as a business.  Detectives are actively investigating these incidents and are asking anyone with information concerning the crimes to contact them or Crimestoppers, where they can remain anonymous.

A would be thief will also target lawn equipment that is left unsecured in the bed of a truck of trailer.  Thieves are continuously looking for ways to separate individuals from their property and it only takes a moment, when someone leaves a vehicle or trailer unsecured in a parking lot for a short timeframe. 

Detectives and Crime Prevention Specialists would encourage business owners and citizens, to record the serial numbers of their lawn equipment and if possible, maintain pictures of the equipment.  These few steps can assist detectives when they are investigating a burglary and theft of the lawn equipment.  Always secure your property when even only away for a few minutes.  A few steps of prevention can assist in stopping a thief from stealing your property. 

Anyone with any information regarding the recent thefts or if you observe suspicious activity, please call 911 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).  Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.