Weather
Local NewsFirst Snow: Spike In Snow Blower TheftsBy Tom Murray
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee police say there's a sharp increase in residential snow blower thefts every year when the snow first flies, and this year is no exception.
Luis Torres wants to make it difficult for anyone to swipe his snow blower. He wraps a chain around the wheels and handle, and then padlocks the chain to his porch.
"It's expensive," he said. "It's a 300 dollar machine."
This south side resident learned his lesson the hard way. Two winters ago, someone took Torres' machine from just outside his front door.
"I put it right here and I forgot to tie it, and I had it stolen," he demonstrated to TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray.
Police say snow blowers are lucrative because they're easy to roll away and easy to sell. A thief can fetch a quick $60 per machine, estimated Officer Jesus Gloria, a MPD community liaison on the south side.
"It's the weather, the perfect season," explained Gloria. "You know it's something people are going to buy."
Gloria recommends wrapping a chain through the auger, even for machines stored in a garage. The chain should be secured to a garage wall or floor, according to a bulletin distributed by police.
"The thieves are going up and down the street," said Officer Gloria. "They are looking for an easy target."
An open door to an unattended garage is most inviting to snow blower thieves on the prowl, police said.
|
On Demandadvertisement |
