Crime & Safety
$3-5M In Stolen Tools Returned To Owners, Remainder Auctioned Off
Police are returning $3-5M worth of stolen tools to the owners with the remainder being auctioned off. A suspect has been indicted.
HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Millions of dollars in stolen tools recovered at locations across Howard County now are being returned to their owners. Jose Aceves, 52, of Jessup, has been indicted on one count of felony theft scheme in connection to this case.
Howard County Police recovered an estimated 18,600 stolen construction tools in what police said was one of the largest and most expansive theft cases in the region in recent years. Police estimate that the total value of the stolen tools is between $3 to $5 million.
Howard County Police detectives have identified 155 victims and are returning their stolen tools to them. The remaining tools will be sold at auction Nov. 16.
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Detectives believe the tools were stolen from retail stores, businesses, vehicles, residential properties and construction sites primarily in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The stolen tools were kept primarily in storage units in Howard County. Detectives stated they believe they were sold at different locations.
For more information about the auction, visit www.gregorysauctions.com/live-thief-auction11-16-24.
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