In an operation that spanned multiple agencies, the authorities reportedly recovered several stolen trailers and a significant cache of construction materials last month. According to a news release from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, the incident unfolded on January 26th, when deputies assisted Benton Twp PD in locating a stolen trailer in their jurisdiction.
The search led them to a property on the 37000 block of 82nd Avenue in Decatur Township, where they discovered not just the sought-after trailer but additional trailers and a large quantity of construction equipment, with an estimated value reaching tens of thousands of dollars. The property owner could not provide legitimate proof of ownership for the items, including trailers with missing or altered serial numbers and VINs.
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott has indicated that multiple trailers and construction equipment have been seized while their ownership is being confirmed. In a show of interdepartmental cooperation, the Sheriff's Office was assisted by Decatur PD, Lawton PD, and the Michigan State Police, along with the Van Buren Criminal Investigative Division.
The Sheriff's Office has towed the items to a secure location and is working with Michigan State Police to identify the rightful owners. As the Sheriff's statement mentioned, one of the trailers was reportedly loaded up with over $45,000 worth of supplies and equipment from a construction job site. As the items are still being processed, the total value of the recovered property remains undisclosed, but the implication is clear: the theft was an organized and costly operation.
While the investigation is ongoing, charges are expected to be brought against the individuals involved later. The news release doesn't provide details on potential suspects or their methods.
