Crews at a solar farm near Plover showed up at the end of May to find a gut punch: about $95,000 worth of Milwaukee-brand tools gone, just like that. Someone cut through a fence, got into equipment trailers and walked away with roughly 130 items, including batteries, wire cutters and more than 40 half-inch impact guns. The loss has triggered a Crime Stoppers appeal and fresh warnings to anyone tempted by bulk tool listings that look a little too cheap to be legit.
What investigators have found
According to WSAW, Portage County Sheriff Mike Lukas said deputies are still working to figure out whether the solar farm itself was specifically targeted. Investigators have serial numbers for all of the missing tools, which they hope will give them a fighting chance at tracking the cache.
The theft happened near Monroe Avenue between Prairie and Forest drives, just off Highway 54. At the scene, deputies documented tire impressions while cataloging the roughly 130 stolen items. Lukas also put out a reminder that buying stolen tools is a risky move: law enforcement can seize them, and anyone who knowingly purchases stolen property could lose their money or even face criminal charges.
How to report tips
People who know something about the theft, or who spot suspicious tool sales, can contact Portage County Crime Stoppers through the P3 app, by phone or through an online tip form, according to the village’s information. All of the local contact details are listed on the Portage County Crime Stoppers page.
Why solar sites draw thieves
Security experts say big, remote energy projects like solar farms are tailor-made targets for thieves, with sprawling, lightly watched footprints and equipment that is easy to resell. Industry reporting has documented a noticeable rise in panel, cable and equipment thefts in recent years. County-level investigations have also highlighted cases where the cost of repairs and downtime ends up far higher than the value of the materials that were actually stolen. For more background, see reporting from Energy Global and a county-level review of theft-related damage in NACo.
A local pattern
Portage County deputies say this is not an isolated headache. Similar break-ins at construction sites and locked trailers have been reported in recent months, slowing down projects and putting pressure on insurance costs. WSAW has previously covered Crime Stoppers alerts about contractor tool thefts in the area, underscoring a recurring issue for builders and solar crews alike.
Legal angle
Under Wisconsin law, purchasing or possessing stolen property can carry criminal penalties, especially when the value is as high as it is in this case. For an overview of the state provisions on theft and receiving stolen property, the Wisconsin State Law Library provides a breakdown of the relevant statutes.
Investigators say they are following up on leads and are counting on serial numbers and tire impressions to help them recover the tools and identify whoever is responsible. Anyone who notices suspicious listings or activity tied to Milwaukee-brand tools is urged to contact local law enforcement or Portage County Crime Stoppers so the case does not fade quietly into the background.
