Thieves victimize construction site
LUZERNE TWP. – An apparently bold thief made off with some $12,000 worth of construction tools and equipment that were being stored inside the fenced area at the Luzerne Township Building. The materials and tools were owned by Glenn Johnston Inc. of McKeesport, the company that is handling the sewer line expansion project in Tower Hill 2, Allison 2, Merrittstown, Penncraft and the Keeney Row area of the township. The owner of the company, Glenn Johnston, said Wednesday night’s theft was the third loss his company has had on the project in the past eight weeks, and the largest to date. Johnston said it was his understanding that the fence at the township building would be locked.
“That was the solution that was worked out with the supervisors to keep our things safer, so it was a little surprising. They must have been awfully bold,” Johnston said.
The township building also houses the township police department, but no officers were on duty Wednesday night. The state police at Belle Vernon are handling the investigation of the latest incident. Johnston said the other two thefts occurred while tools and equipment were stored near the Tower Hill 2 fire hall, less than a mile away from the township building.
“I’ve been in this business 27 years and we’ve probably had a dozen thefts. All our guys are ready to work, and they don’t have any tools to work with. The costs we endure are much higher than the loss of the equipment,” Johnston said. “Fortunately, for us, we haven’t lost much time on this project, but we have to run around and get new tools, and that adds another $5,000 to the loss.”
Johnston said his company routinely offers a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of thieves from his work sites. In this case he has increased that reward to $5,000. He said the identity of anyone providing the information will be kept confidential.
“We’ve paid out three rewards over the years. You’d be amazed. One was a girlfriend, and one was just an alert person who noticed a piece of equipment driving down the Droad. The other prosecutions were the result of police work,” Johnston said.
Johnston said he generally tries to get information about an area before putting a bid in on a project, and a high theft area increases his bid amount.
“We have a lot of exposure. Sure we’re insured, but those insurance costs end up as part of your bid,” Johnston said.
Johnston said Wednesday’s theft included chop saws, chain saws, generators, pipe lasers and copper pipe and fittings.
“What’s really strange is the sewer laser. It costs about $7,000. It’s only used for one thing – laying sewer pipe,” Johnston said.
Johnston said he has had four sewer lasers taken over the years, with one recovered when the thief sold it to another sewer contractor.
Anyone with information about Wednesday’s theft should contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 724-929-9292, the Luzerne Township police through Fayette County 9-1-1, or the construction company at 1-800-900-4642.