EQUIPMENT THEFT SUMMARY AND ADVISORY

November 24, 2008
Friday, an NER member rental fleet lost a 2004 John Deere 310-G Backhoe to theft in Miami, Florida. This represents the 30th backhoe reported stolen to NER in southern Florida in 2008. As the theft trends highlighted below illustrate, equipment theft is evolving but not in a positive direction; unfortunately it is becoming more organized, more focused, and more prolific.

As we do at every holiday, NER encourages equipment owners and Law Enforcement to practice vigilance and preparedness in anticipation of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday- tips are included below. This time, please take heed of these statistics, and recognize how you as an individual officer, investigator or equipment industry professional can have an impact on reversing the trends. Steps taken now can prevent the thefts from occurring which is the greatest way we can actively respond to the ever growing and evolving threat of the equipment thief.

THEFT TRENDS:

Conversion Thefts- reports of thefts by fraud against large and small rental companies are on the rise across the country. Other than the increase in this type of theft, there is no pattern to how it is committed. Some perpetrators use false identification and sophisticated fake credit documents while others simply rent equipment and disappear. Rental companies must be mindful of individuals with no prior rental history or local business ties, but also the old scam of individuals pretending to work for a large company. Take extra steps to verify a customer's identity, and communicate with large companies about their rental authorization policies. When you rent a machine, take action that will help retrieve the machine or locate the customer should the rental go bad. Law Enforcement is encouraged to verify the status of any rented machine with NICB and the renting company. NER's database can be accessed through NICB 24 hours a day, and all member rental companies list emergency after hours contacts who can verify a machines status.
Skid Steer Loaders still are the most stolen machine this month. A growing trend in Georgia is the theft of Tracked Skid Steers or Compact Tracked Loaders, particularly Takeuchi machines. If you have experienced a similar theft, be sure to contact Detective Dan Rossman, Cobb County Police Auto Theft, 770-499-4574 or drossman@cobbcounty.org
Utility Carts/Vehicles - more John Deere Gators, Bobcat Toolcats and Kubota RTV-900's were stolen than tractors or backhoes this month. The popularity of these machines in the market is mirrored by their appeal to thieves. Owners and rental companies should implement physical security measures to prevent the unauthorized use of machines, as often the theft is opportunistic. Dealers need to take proactive measures to protect machines on display and in storage by immobilizing them, blocking them with larger machines or better yet storing them inside at night. Law Enforcement who encounter machines should verify their status with an owner if NCIC returns no hit for theft- NER has encountered many thefts recorded as simple burglaries with no machine PIN/Serials Numbers entered on NCIC.
Older Machines- Western States report a rise in older machine thefts. Its possible these may include insurance scams but also may point to a criminal element burned in the past by newer machines equipped with GPS, and targeting perfectly good older machines which will less likely be GPS enabled. Older machine owners in the 4 Corners States and Nevada should not assume their equipment is less vulnerable due to its age.
Top Four States - Georgia and Texas tied for most thefts, followed by California and Florida.
UNIQUE THEFTS:

High Value Theft of the Month
$100,000+ 2008 Caterpillar D-5-G LGP Dozer, PIN CAT00D5GARKG03618 stolen on a highway project in Western Alabama on November 6. Any machine similar to this, especially being exported anywhere on the eastern sea-board, should be examined with consideration that its identity may be altered or counterfeit- verify ownership on all machines. (Sumter County report # 2008-350)
Image of Similar Machine


Theft Concentration- Miami
NER has received 30 theft reports on Backhoe Loaders in the greater Miami area. 3 Case machines, 6 Caterpillar, 2 Komatsu and 19 John Deere. Undoubtedly this does not reflect all the machines taken in this area- If your agency has received a report on a backhoe theft in this area, or you as an owner have suffered a theft, be sure to report it to NER to ensure the machine data is accurate and so that the data is widely accessible to Law Enforcement nationally through NICB and NER. Take steps to protect your machines in this area not with an attitude that you may be targeted but that you will be targeted. Regardless of make or age, all machines in this area should be disabled when not in operation, or stored in yards or in doors. Be sure you have up to date emergency contact information on your NER Machine Ownership registration.

Law Enforcement is encouraged to examine any backhoe in transit after hours - it most likely will not be on NCIC as stolen as it may have just been stolen. Contact NICB to obtain the NER ownership record and contact that owner. Remember- NCIC only proves machines are stolen- In no way can NCIC confirm a machine IS NOT stolen. Only an owner can confirm his machine is where its supposed to be. Be especially wary of counterfeit or stolen machine PIN plates concealing the machine's true identity. This is another reason to contact the machine owner - to see if you have a machine in two places at once.
Image of commonly targeted John Deere 310 series backhoe



THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY REMINDER

Its doubtful the criminal element behind the evolution of equipment theft will be taking a break this Thanksgiving; equipment owners should not either. Regardless of how significant the theft problem is locally, owners should follow a few common sense principles to reduce their vulnerability to theft, and increase awareness of potential criminal activity in their area.

Pro-Active Measures


1. Disable machines that have to be left on jobsites -have field service mechanics remove battery cables, pull fuses, relays or ignition circuits, or remove tires. Make use of lock up devices that prevent operation - see www.equipmentlock.com for examples. Be sure lighting works to expose activity on a site, not facilitate it. Recent thefts were not deterred by portable chain link fences, which were merely pushed aside or unbolted- have a second line of defense.

2. Leaving a machine or materials loaded on a trailer invites theft- even if secured within a yard. If trailers must be left loaded, immobilize the trailer. Set the frame on jack stands or cribs, remove the hitch or use a hitch lock, and park the trailer away from the gate.

3. Designate an employee or supervisor to make a random check of sites throughout the holiday and over the weekend. Be sure this person knows what machines, tools and materials should be at each site so that missing property is not overlooked, and can be reported quickly and accurately.

4. Contractors and sub-contractors should advise site security guards if any activity is expected over the holiday as thieves are often familiar with the worksite and may even have credentials that they should be on the site or moving equipment. Be certain guards have a contact number so that they can alert you as needed.

5. Let employees know that management will be making spot checks of jobsites - let employee gossip work to your advantage. If you are closed Friday, bring all the machines in Wednesday and spread the rumor that they were all fitted with GPS over the break.

6. Post signs with an emergency contact number, and signs that say you offer a reward for information on thefts or vandalism at a site. Signs can also let the thief know that patrols are in the area and that machine serial numbers are recorded on National Equipment Register's databases, and are accessible to police 24 hours-a-day. Signs are available from CICP ( www.cicpp.com )

7. Contact your local police patrol commander to advise them whether activity should be taking place on your site or at your yard. Provide a 24-hour contact number in case something comes up at your site. If this was done at the start of your project, now would be a good time to refresh that line of communication. Print up a handout with the job address, pictures of your equipment and emergency phone numbers that can be handed out at roll call.


8. Be ready to make a report of any theft, graffiti or vandalism as soon as it is discovered - before an incident occurs, know which agency to call, have an accurate list of equipment serial numbers, and know which machines are at which site. Report the incident immediately to police and call NER with thefts for inclusion in the NER database and theft alerts.
It is critical to report any machine thefts to NER as soon as a Law Enforcement report has been made- NER can catch errors in reporting in the critical period just after the theft when Law Enforcement is most likely to encounter the machine.

9. Thefts and break ins will occur this holiday- be watchful of your equipment and facilities and those of others in your community. Find out before hand what agency to report to should you see something odd on a site or dealer yard, or encounter a machine being moved that maybe should not be. Wouldn't you want someone to call if they saw YOUR machine being stolen?

Act Locally- Get involved with a crime prevention program. In the Pacific Northwest and throughout California, contact the regional Construction Industry Crime Prevention Programs:
CICP of the Pacific Northwest
www.cicpp.com
CICP OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
www.constructioncrime.com
CICP OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
www.cicpp.org
CPP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
www.crimepreventionprogram.com

For Agricultural Communities in California:
California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force
www.crcptf.com

ACTION Project
www.agcrime.net

Act Nationally- be sure your equipment is registered on National Equipment Register's databases before a theft occurs. See all the details at:

www.stopequipmenttheft.com or www.nerusa.com


If you have any questions or need more information, please contact NER- analysts are available to assist you make a complete report as soon as possible- call 866-663-7872 (866-6-NER-USA)

More information can be found in NER's free 12 page Theft Prevention Guide available for download at www.nerusa.com/theftPrevention.asp


Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Many Happy Recoveries,

Stacy Kaufman
Marketing and Sales Director
561.843.3753

______________________________________________________

NOVEMBER HOT LIST
The below HOT LIST includes sample thefts from across the country. NER distributes this alert in addition to regional alerts in order to forewarn owners of activity locally, and to help Law Enforcement recognize activity regionally.

If the list does not appear properly in text format, see www.stopequipmenttheft.com/Hotlist.html
or reply to this message to have it sent as an attachment in PDF

Theft State
Make
Model
Year
Subtype
PIN

AB, CA
JOHN DEERE
317
2005
SKID STEER LOADER
T00317A143718

AL
CATERPILLAR
236-B
2006
SKID STEER LOADER
CAT0236BVHEN04801

AL
CATERPILLAR
D-5-G
2008
DOZER
CAT00D5GARKG03618

AL
CATERPILLAR
257-B
2007
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
CAT0257BLSLK06961

AZ
SCHWING
WP-750
2005
CONCRETE PUMP, TOWED
171012439

CA
BOBCAT
S-250
2006
SKID STEER LOADER
526018572

CA
JOHN DEERE
35-C-ZDT
2004
MINI EXCAVATOR
FF035CX232289

CA
JOHN DEERE
4120
2007
TRACTOR
LV4120H410383

CA
JOHN DEERE
5520
2003
TRACTOR
LV5520S352432

CA
MULTIQUIP
DCA-25
2006
GENERATOR
8101928

CA
SULLAIR
185-DPQ-JD
2006
AIR COMPRESSOR
200602100033

CA
VERMEER
BC-1000
2004
BRUSH CHIPPER
1VRU111A441004290

CO
CASE
1845-C
1990
SKID STEER LOADER
JAF0068607

FL
BOBCAT
331
2005
MINI EXCAVATOR
234313526

FL
JOHN DEERE
310-SG
2007
BACKHOE
T0310SG960832

FL
JOHN DEERE
310-G
2004
BACKHOE
T0310GX929512

FL
JOHN DEERE
310-G
2004
BACKHOE
T0310GX928968

FL
JOHN DEERE
GATOR XUV
2008
UTILITY CART
M0XUVGC021109

FL
KOMATSU
WB-140
2005
BACKHOE
KMTWB001K36A22418

FL
KOMATSU
WB-140
2005
BACKHOE
KMTWB001K36A20992

GA
CASE
450
2008
SKID STEER LOADER
N8M484137

GA
CATERPILLAR
416-D
2002
BACKHOE
CAT0416DABFP06685

GA
CATERPILLAR
330-B-L
1998
EXCAVATOR
6DR02421

GA
CATERPILLAR
320-L
1994
EXCAVATOR
9KK02146

GA
KOMATSU
PC-50-MR
2004
MINI EXCAVATOR
KMTPC094T05007864

GA
TAKEUCHI
TL-150
2005
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
21502166

GA
TAKEUCHI
TL-140
2008
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
21406480

GA
TAKEUCHI
TL-130
2004
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
21302843

HI
CATERPILLAR
226-B-II
2008
SKID STEER LOADER
CAT0226BKMJH11487

ID
JOHN DEERE
GATOR 4X2
2007
UTILITY CART
W04X2SD019056

IL
BOBCAT
S-250
2006
SKID STEER LOADER
530913745

IL
CATERPILLAR
963-C
2003
LOADER, TRACKED
CAT0963CH2DS03067

IL
NEW HOLLAND
TN-75
2002
TRACTOR
001272886

IL
SKYJACK
SJ-3219
1999
SCISSOR LIFT
227541

KY
INGERSOLL RAND
185-WJD
2005
AIR COMPRESSOR
345862UE0221

MD
CATERPILLAR
257-B
2007
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
CAT0257BTSLK06030

MD
JOHN DEERE
TURF GATOR
2001
UTILITY CART
VG0TURF015851

MD
JOHN DEERE
HPX GATOR
2004
UTILITY CART
M0HP4GX018341

MD
JOHN DEERE
TURF GATOR
2004
UTILITY CART
W00TURF019665

MD
JOHN DEERE
6X4
2006
UTILITY CART
W06X4HD004293

MD
JOHN DEERE
6X4
2006
UTILITY CART
W006X4D041580

MD
KAWASAKI
610 MULE
2006
UTILITY CART
JK1AFEA156B514215

MI
CATERPILLAR
257-B
2007
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
CAT0257BESLK06378

MN
BOBCAT
5600-T
2006
UTILITY CART
A00311369

MO
GEHL
4635
2003
SKID STEEL LOADER
303759

MO
NEW HOLLAND
LX-865
1999
SKID STEER LOADER
99601

NE
INGERSOLL RAND
P-185
1995
AIR COMPRESSOR
253565UBF327

NE
KUBOTA
ZG-327
2008
COMMERCIAL MOWER
11066

NM
INGERSOLL RAND
P-185
1996
AIR COMPRESSOR
263149UCG327

NV
CASE
580-L
1999
BACKHOE
JJG0244432

NY
CATERPILLAR
P-5000
2008
FORK LIFT
AT3511813

NY
JOHN DEERE
HPX GATOR
2008
UTILITY CART
M0HP4DX051967

NY
KUBOTA
R-520-S
2008
ARTICULATED LOADER
20124

NY
YALE
GLC
2001
FORK LIFT
E187V16910Y

OH
GENIE
TZ-34-20
2003
AERIAL LIFT, TOWED
TZ3403-296

OH
VERMEER
BC-625-A
2003
BRUSH CHIPPER
1VRU091S431005979

OK
CATERPILLAR
D-5-C
2000
DOZER
7PS01342

OK
JOHN DEERE
2210
2003
TRACTOR
LV2210H113674

OK
JOHN DEERE
GATOR 4X2
2002
UTILITY CART
W004X2X080913

OK
JOHN DEERE
GATOR 4X2
2005
UTILITY CART
W004X2X104633

OK
MASSEY FERGUSON
MF-263
1999
TRACTOR
H37077

SC
CATERPILLAR
252-B
2004
SKID STEER LOADER
CAT0252BTSCP00735

SC
KUBOTA
MX-5000
2007
TRACTOR
58020

TN
CATERPILLAR
287-B
2005
SKID STEER LOADER, TRACKED
CAT0287BHZSA02828

TN
KUBOTA
B-7800
2006
TRACTOR
67294

TX
CASE
580-M
2007
BACKHOE
N7C433075

TX
CATERPILLAR
426
1991
BACKHOE
7BC04908

TX
EZ DUMP

2006
TRAILER
5H20DXLP87W013317

UT
CASE
580-SUPER-L
1998
BACKHOE
JJG0204962



Many of the above machines may be headed to the used equipment market. Equipment buyers can ensure they are not buying stolen property by running an IRONcheck on NER: www.ironcheck.com

Any of the above machines may have been recovered. No action should be taken before the theft status of a machine can be verified with the reporting agency.

Law Enforcement personnel are encouraged to verify ownership or rental status on any equipment by contacting NICB 24 hours a day for access to NER's ownership and fleet records- 800-447-6282 (be prepared to provide your agency ORI)

This alert, and all recent NER alerts, will be available on line at: www.StopEquipmentTheft.com/Hotlist.html

If you have any questions or comments on this alert, or thefts in general, don't hesitate to contact an NER analyst.

National Equipment Register
David Grant Mossman
Senior Analyst
dmossman@nerusa.com