A heist that seems straight out of a Hollywood action flick has left the Kent Power Company grappling with a significant loss – their 60-ton crane, estimated to be worth over $500,000, was stolen from a Columbus construction site. The Franklin County Sheriff's office is currently scouring for leads on the crane, reported missing around 8 a.m. yesterday, last seen near the Eldorado Casinos at Scioto Downs, as ABC6 reported.
Joseph Romecki, the business unit director for Kent Power, expressed the blow his company is taking with the disappearance of the costly machinery. "It's devastating to us to lose a truck that's $950,000 to replace it," Romecki told WBNS. It seems that the perpetrators went to great lengths to cover their tracks, by removing the license plate, and the GPS unit from the crane, making it harder for authorities and the company to relocate the vehicle.
According to statements by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, moving and handling a crane of this magnitude is not a feat for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. Not just anyone could drive off with a Kenworth 60-ton Long Boom National Crane without some extent of trained expertise. Sgt. Bill Duffer noted, "This is a Class A CDL requirement to operate this truck, to even drive it down the road, so I'm gonna say that somebody was familiar with that truck," according to a statement captured by WBNS.
While authorities are considering transporting the crane out of state or stripping it for parts, Manuel Gutierrez Jr. from the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship and Training Fund pointed out to NBC4i that operating a 60-foot boom crane is "a little easier" than some might assume, as long as one has "a little basic knowledge." Regardless of the skill level required, the sheriff's department emphasized that if someone spots the crane, they should not engage but rather alert law enforcement immediately.
The company is facing a financial and operational setback, with Romecki explaining to WBNS that obtaining a replacement could take weeks, challenging their project timeline to dismantle over 50 lattice towers. In an urgent plea, Romecki added, "We're working as hard as we can to keep the lights on so we just ask that if the public's seen anything, they can help us out." The crane's distinct markings should make it recognizable, as Sgt. Duffer pointed out that "It kind of stands out. It’s got identifying markings on the side of the crane."
Anyone with information about the stolen crane or its whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau at 614-525-3351. Tips can be made anonymously as the sheriff's office continues the investigation, hoping to recover the pricey and indispensable equipment.
