A Maryland man has been arrested for the alleged theft of over $1 million in construction equipment, in a scheme affecting small local businesses. Brandyn Green, 38, of Prince George's County, is facing multiple felony theft charges, as discovered when authorities executed a search warrant on his property located on the 4400 block of Wheeler Road. Included in the trove of stolen items were 13 skid steers, two excavators, and additional trailers and building equipment, according to WJLA.
Local police, engaged in an ongoing investigation, have also highlighted Green’s possible sale of this hefty cache for substantially less than its market value, as per details from NBC Washington. Green might not have acted alone, and there is speculation of further charges in adjoining jurisdictions. Captain Winegardner expressed to NBC Washington the significant impact these crimes have on the livelihoods of people involved with smaller construction outfits, “They’re not big construction companies that are wealthy. They don’t have this equipment, they can’t perform their jobs,” Winegardner said. “They’re not going to get the contracts, and they’re going to miss out on money. Their employees rely on those wages. If they don’t have that income, then a lot of these employees don’t get paid as well.”
Police have been diligent in their recovery efforts using diverse methods including aerial surveillance. A helicopter was utilized in the search leading to the discovery of the stolen goods, as it is explained in a report by WTOP. The majority of the victims were "mom and pop operations" rather than large corporations. "It feels great to locate these, and give them back to the rightful owners," stated Winegardner, emphasizing the relief experienced in restoring the stolen property to its lawful proprietors.
Amidst the backdrop of this large-scale theft, preventative advice has been shared. Winegardner recommends keeping valuable equipment inaccessible to potential criminals overnight, diligent tracking of all equipment VIN numbers and serial numbers, and, where possible, to employ extra security measures like GPS tracking and cameras. These suggestions aim to fortify against future losses and enable quick recovery should theft occur. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and Prince George's County Police are urging anyone missing equipment to come forward, so they may return any remaining recovered items to their rightful owners.
