May 23 – A garage in Columbia is full of power saws and drills.
Howard County police said Thursday they recovered about 15,000 stolen construction tools worth between $3 million and $5 million through 12 search warrants, mostly for storage units. The investigation began in late January when a tracking device in a stolen tool led officers to a storage unit in Elkridge.
“Just by looking at them, you could suggest they could have resold them,” Police Chief Gregory Der said at a news conference at a warehouse of the provincial Department of Public Works. “We are looking at multiple suspects.”
Detectives believe the tools were stolen from stores, businesses, vehicles, homes and construction sites in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, while 11 of the 12 search warrants were for Howard County, police said.
The stolen tools were largely kept in storage units in Howard County and investigators believe they were sold in various locations and by various means.
No arrests have been made.
Piles, stacks and bins of tools line the facility with shelves showing some tools as “confirmed stolen,” “unidentified” or “yet to be processed.” Der said the department had not yet finished inventorying all the tools.
Anyone who believes their tools have been stolen can submit a recovery form online. Those with information can contact detectives at 410-313-7867.
