The Sheriffs’ Department of Ventura County announced that its Construction Burglary Task Force has effectively dismantled a criminal organization responsible for construction site burglaries, rental equipment thefts and landscape equipment thefts that have plagued Southern California and the Southwestern United States for the past three-and-a-half years.
The Sheriffs’ Department praised the support of the California Rental Association and rental operators Paul Arbon of U-Rent, Camarillo, Calif.; Russ Goodenough, Cal U-Rent, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and Corey Lister of Lister Rents, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
The four-month investigation resulted in the recovery of more than 25,000 pieces of stolen property valued at $3.5 million. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 28 people so far and the seizing of more than $200,000 in cash. About a third of the pieces have been returned to their owners. Victims included contractors, landscapers and equipment rental companies in nine states.
The Daily News of Los Angeles reported that much of the equipment was sold at swap meets, while other pieces were sent to Mexico and other countries.
