Thieves steal construction equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars

By: Gabriel Roxas Email

Updated: Wed 11:54 PM, May 30, 2012

A business owner wants your help finding a piece of construction equipment thieves stole just when he needs it the most. A crook took off with it early this morning from West Lexington Avenue in Winchester.

Ernie Wilcox couldn't believe it when he found the marks on his pavement where he parked his Bobcat T 190 Compact Track Loader. The model even includes built-in features to help prevent theft, which is something Wilcox says the area isn't used to seeing on this scale. "You have a little vandalism every now and then," Wilcox said, "but nothing worth 45-47-thousand dollars come up missing."

Wilcox discovered the equipment and its trailer had been stolen right when pool season is at its height. "This is the worst time this could happen," Wilcox said, "If this was in December, January. It would still be a lost item, but we need that equipment now."

In the short term, Wilcox plans to rent a replacement loader he says he needs every day of business, but that will be a significant financial burden while he waits and hopes the equipment is found.

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