Thread: Construction site thefts reported in Great Falls, Belt

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 10306/1002

Construction site thefts reported in Great Falls, Belt
By CHELSI MOY
Tribune Staff Writer


Two construction sites in Great Falls and one in Belt are the most recent victims in a rash of thefts at construction sites across the state, with the total amount of stolen tools nearing $200,000.

Great Falls Police, however, on Wednesday interviewed six illegal immigrants whom they suspect are responsible for the thefts. Authorities were still interviewing the men at press time, and limited details were available.

On Monday night $25,000 worth of tools were stolen from a construction site at 3701 River Drive N., where crews are building the new Central Plumbing and Heating building. Bob Murray Construction Company also had about $12,000 worth of tools stolen from a site along 26th Street South.

In Belt, Rick Edwards of Bighorn Developers had nearly his entire tool trailer stolen, totaling about $6,000, he said.

"The only things they didn't take were rakes and shovels." he said. "I never in a million years would have thought that Belt, Montana would have been the target of theft."

The incidents in Cascade County come days after thieves stole $50,000 worth of construction equipment from several job sites in Missoula and $100,000 worth of equipment from sites for the new Costco and Lowe's stores in Helena.

Police suspect all the thefts are connected, said Great Falls Police Sgt. Glen Stinar.

The local thefts forced construction crews to buy new equipment to keep operating.

"With winter coming, I can't stop," Edwards said. "I bought what I didn't have and got extra tools from my warehouse."

Edwards provided police with a description of the suspect's vehicle. He saw a suspicious pickup speed out of the seven-lot subdivision where his company is constructing custom homes. Edwards chased the vehicle until the pickup reached 100 mph, he said, but it wasn't until the next morning that he realized he had likely chased the burglars.

The thieves broke into a locked trailer and stole nail guns, cordless drills, saws and surveying equipment, he said.

Jesse Waldenberg of Central Plumbing and Heating had a similar unpleasant experience.

The thieves broke into three separate trailers on the job site. All three were locked and parked in a well-lit area, he said.

"I was disgusted," Waldenberg said. "I had to buy all new tools and it really screwed me up."

It appeared as though the thieves were not amateurs, he said.

Police spotted a vehicle similar to the description of the suspect pickup and later matched the tire tread to a tire track at the Belt site, Edwards said.

The investigation is ongoing.



Originally published September 21, 2006

The thieves broke into a locked trailer and stole nail guns, cordless drills, saws and surveying equipment, he said.

If this proves that illegals did steal this equipment, they should send the bill to Congress and Jorge BOOSH along w/ a thank you letter for letting thieves into the US.

I bet they will have their own illegal business up and running in matter of days

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/0 ... 9eivg0.txt

Suspects in custody after string of construction thefts
GREAT FALLS - Police here have several suspects in custody in a string of construction equipment thefts around the state with losses totaling nearly $190,000.

Police Sgt. Glen Stinar said the suspects told investigators they were sent to Montana to steal the equipment and ship it back to California.

"I know the suspects were very cooperative," he said.

The case is being turned over to the U.S. attorney's office for prosecution. The names of the suspects were not released.

The Great Falls Tribune reported Thursday that police were interviewing six illegal immigrants about the thefts Wednesday night.

The thefts started in mid-September when $100,000 in construction tools and equipment was taken from the Costco and Lowe's construction sites in Helena, along with the theft of more than $50,000 worth of equipment from several job sites in the Missoula area.

Helena police Detective Rich Drysdale said he believed more than one person was involved and that the suspects probably used a large truck or trailer to haul away the items.

On Monday night, $37,000 worth of tools were stolen from two construction sites in Great Falls.

In Belt, Rick Edwards of Bighorn Developers had nearly his entire tool trailer stolen, total about $6,000.

"The only thing they didn't take were rakes and shovels," he said.

Edwards gave police a description of a suspicious vehicle he saw speeding out of the seven-lot subdivision his company is working on. Edwards chased the vehicle until it reached speeds of nearly 100 mph. But it wasn't until the next morning that he realized he had likely chased the burglars.

At the Central Plumbing and Heating building site in Great Falls, Jesse Waldenberg said thieves broke into three separate trailers.

Waldenberg said he had to buy new tools to continue working.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

Sounds like they are ready to go into business for themselves.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 20318/1002

Construction theft suspects cooperative
The Associated Press and Tribune Staff


Great Falls police have several suspects in custody in a string of construction equipment thefts around the state with losses totaling nearly $190,000.

Six suspects made an initial appearance in a Great Falls District Court Thursday.

Great Falls Police Sgt. Glen Stinar said the suspects told investigators they were sent to Montana to steal the equipment and ship it back to California.

"I know the suspects were very cooperative,'" he said.

The case is being turned over to the U.S. attorney's office for prosecution.

Police interviewed six illegal immigrants about the thefts late Wednesday night.

Marcos Gregorio Parcoal, 29, Jose David Arellano, 21, Deno Delgado, 35, and Manuel Valencia, 46, each face felony theft charges and misdemeanor charges for possession of stolen items, criminal mischief and trespass to a vehicle.

Sandra De Rosario Morales and Jenny Palaenos face accountability to theft charges.

The thefts started in mid-September when $100,000 in construction tools and equipment was taken from the Costco and Lowe's construction sites in Helena, along with the theft of more than $50,000 worth of equipment from several job sites in the Missoula area.

Helena police Detective Rich Drysdale said he believed more than one person was involved and that the suspects probably used a large truck or trailer to haul away the items.

On Monday night, $37,000 worth of tools were stolen from two construction sites in Great Falls.

In Belt, Rick Edwards of Bighorn Developers had nearly his entire tool trailer stolen.

Edwards gave police a description of a suspicious vehicle he saw speeding out of the seven-lot subdivision his company is working on.


Originally published September 22, 2006