National Equipment Register last week reported 15 incidents of theft of scissorlift control boxes in Southern California. Individuals have entered area rental facility yards both at night and during operating hours and removed scissorlift operator control boxes, which are hung from the railings on the machine’s lift platform.

The devices are used to operate the machine from the lift platform via joysticks and switches, and are valued at $1,400 each. A quick connect electrical fitting allows the device to be removed in seconds. The suspects, driving a white Toyota with gold trim, have been able to enter yards, remove devices and leave in less than a minute.

Law enforcement in California has been made aware of the activity and patrol officers have been asked to pay special attention to the yards of rental centers after hours. NER is advising rental centers to not leave the devices on the scissorlifts if possible.