15,000 stolen construction tools seized during investigation into massive theft in Howard County

ELLICOTT CITY – Howard County Police say they have uncovered one of the largest theft cases in the region, seizing approximately 15,000 stolen construction tools.

This is all part of an investigation that began earlier this year. While no arrests have been made yet, police say they are close to charging several suspects.

At a Howard County warehouse in an undisclosed location, police have piles of drills, chain saws, generators and a variety of other construction tools. Investigators are still sorting through exactly what they have.

Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said police were alerted to the case by a Virginia victim in January. The victim’s stolen tools contained a tracking device that led investigators to a storage unit in Elkridge.

“The scope of this investigation is enormous and it is not yet complete,” Der said. “It is a huge undertaking.”

He also noted that what the media saw in the camp was only a part of what they have uncovered so far.

Police found the tools after serving 12 search warrants, 11 of which were in Howard County. The total value of all the finds is estimated at $3 million to $5 million.

He said the tools were stolen from businesses, vehicles and construction sites in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. About a quarter of the stolen tools were brand new and still in their original packaging.

Investigators found that they were sold in different locations.

“Howard County is a community where all of our residents are not only safe, but should feel safe,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “We just took another big step toward achieving that goal.”

Police currently estimate there are about 80 victims, but believe there are more, possibly hundreds.

Investigators are working to return each tool to its original owner.

“These thefts affect their livelihoods. We have heard of victims who have lost their jobs because of their tools. (These thefts) far exceed the cost of replacing those tools,” Der said.

The police have created an online form that victims can use to request their tools. You can find it here.