Someone made off with a Bobcat E60 mini excavator in Alcoa, and police say it took them only about 30 minutes to pull off the job.
According to investigators, the machine vanished from a construction site late on March 21 during a tight window between 6:43 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Witnesses reported a white Ford F-250 hauling the excavator away. Police have opened case number A26006170 and are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious to give them a call.
How to submit a tip
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to the recovery of the machine, according to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. Tipsters can call 877-363-8847, use the P3Tips mobile app, text "ettips" to 738477, or submit information through the organization's website.
What police released
In a Facebook post, the Alcoa Police Department shared photos of a white Ford F-250 believed to have been involved and pointed to several details that could help identify the truck. The pickup reportedly has a Fox Racing decal in the top right of the rear window, a diamond-shaped sticker in the center of the glass, silver running boards and a silver Kobalt toolbox. Its Tennessee license plate begins with "94," according to the Alcoa Police Department.
Why job-site thefts matter
Compact excavators are a frequent target for thieves because they are valuable and can be moved quickly, and industry trackers warn that recovery rates are low. The National Equipment Register notes that equipment theft costs the construction industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually and recommends registering serial numbers and using tracking devices, per the National Equipment Register.
How to contact police
Anyone with information should call the Alcoa Police Department at (865) 981-4111 and reference case A26006170, or submit an anonymous tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 877-363-8847. The department's Facebook post contains photos and further details for residents and investigators, per the Alcoa Police Department.
