Protection against construction equipment theft

Rising Professional Theft Rings

The latest study showed that professional theft rings rose again in 2006, with law enforcement discovering 14 theft rings and chop shops (vs. 11 in 2005) through tracking and recovering stolen equipment that was equipped with the LoJack System. Police recovered more than $3 million in additional stolen assets that were not LoJack-equipped. In one theft ring bust alone in Los Angeles, police tracked a LoJack-equipped Ingersoll Rand skid steer and recovered it along with more than $750,000 in additional stolen construction equipment - much of which was intended for shipment overseas to Russia and Germany.

"Professional thieves see construction theft as a low-risk, high-reward theft opportunity," said Richard T. Riley, LoJack's chairman and CEO. "Typically, the risk of being caught is low because equipment is difficult to trace and is often located on remote, unsecured job sites. Since construction equipment carries a hefty price tag, the rewards for thieves are high. That's precisely why equipment owners need to have a solid action plan to protect their equipment and their businesses from theft.

Most Popular Theft Targets

The study also revealed that the newer equipment on the job site is the most common theft target because of higher resale value. The types of equipment most frequency stolen are (in order):

1. Backhoe loaders, skip loaders, wheel loaders
2. Skid steers
3. Generators, air compressors, welders
4. Forklifts and scissor lifts
5. Light towers
6. Light utility/work trucks
7. Trailer

These equipment types represented more than 70 percent of all construction equipment recoveries documented by LoJack in 2006. More than 73 percent of the equipment stolen and recovered was five years old or less.

Construction Theft Continues to Rise in Growth Regions

Rates of equipment theft and recovery were highest in those states where rapid growth is fueling construction projects. Additionally, theft rose in Louisiana this past year due to increased construction following Hurricane Katrina.

Based on LoJack's recovery data, the following are the top 10 states with the highest occurrence of equipment theft/recovery:

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Arizona
5. Georgia
6. Nevada
7. New Jersey
8. Maryland
9. Illinois
10. Louisiana

Construction Theft is a Local Issue

The report also indicated that construction theft is a local issue. In 98 percent of the cases, the stolen equipment was recovered in the same state in which the theft was reported. It was either in a storage facility or in use on a local job site. Unlike auto theft, which has a higher incidence in major cities around the country, construction theft is not confined to city streets and urban areas. Rather, it is often located in suburban areas where construction growth is high.

LoJack's Guide to Theft Protection

Below is LoJack's advice on how to protect equipment and businesses from the costly problem of theft:

Keep Good Records

• Label all equipment with unique identifying numbers, including the following:
• Product Identification Numbers (PIN)
• Owner Applied Number (OAN)
• Consider marking above numbers in multiple locations on equipment
• Keep accurate inventory records
• Record manufacturer, model number, year, PIN, and purchase date for each piece of equipment
• Record serial numbers of each major component parts
• Consider registering your equipment with a national database

Focus on Physical Site Security

• When possible, fence in your equipment
• Park equipment close together and in a circle if feasible, with smaller pieces in the center; chain small equipment to larger equipment
• Communicate with law enforcement. Request more frequent patrols, especially in known high-theft areas

Use Theft Deterrents and Proven Recovery Systems

• Use immobilization devices such as wheel locks, fuel shut-offs or ignition locks
• Consider installing battery-disconnect switches
• Use a proven tracking/recovery system that offers time-tested tracking technology and is integrated with police so that recovery is in the hands of the law

About the Study

The 2006 LoJack Construction Equipment Theft Report is based on state theft statistics and equipment recoveries documented by LoJack in 26 states from January to December 2006. LoJack has been tracking theft/recovery data for the past six years and will continue to issue these reports annually to provide the industry with valuable statistics and trend information.