Law enforcement agencies are banding together to halt an ongoing chain of equipment thefts in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Mies Equipment Inc. in Watkins is the most recent business to fall prey to the cross-state larceny. According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, six ATVs, two riding mowers and a trailer were stolen from Mies early Friday. June 6. This is the second time this year Mies has been subjected to this type of theft. Owner Jeff Mies declined to comment. “Recently this kind of theft, involved with trucks or trailers, has become more commonplace,” said Meeker County Investigator Bob Pace, who was assigned to the case. Pace said there is a simple reason for these items being targeted: money. “The equipment that was stolen has a value in the thousands of dollars,”he said. “If you steal a $6,200 or $7,000 ATV and sell that at even half the price, you’re making a lot of money. And there is a market for that kind of equipment.” Incidences of similar large-item thefts that occurred in Iowa and Wisconsin, have aroused the suspicion of law enforcement officials in all three states and, according to Pace, they may be related “It’s probably a team operation,” Pace said. “They use the cover of dark and the rural location – a location where there is not a lot of traffic – to aid in the theft.” According to Pace, law enforcement agencies in the three states have been putting their heads together to end the trail of criminal activity. “Agencies all over Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin are finding there is power in numbers,” he said. But until the suspects are apprehended, Pace encourages business owners to review their security procedures. “Be aware,” he said. “Contact your local law enforcement agencies or your local police if you have any concerns. We are happy to help. You may even want to investigate professional security systems.” Theft, however, is not the only issue. Knowingly purchasing stolen goods is also a felony. To avoid being a part of the crime, Pace suggested employing common sense. “If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If for some reason you suspect a deal is not legit, contact your local crime agency with the serial number of the merchandise you are looking to purchase and we can investigate.”
