Police Warn of Truck Battery Thefts

Anne Arundel County Police said they have responded to multiple reports of battery thefts from trucks, including at industrial areas near BWI Marshall Airport. 

Police said that a number of criminals have broken into trucks and stolen batteries, leaving drivers stranded. The incidents have happened all over the county, but some thieves appear to be targeting trucks located in industrial areas near BWI Marshall airport. 

Officers said that while there may be groups of thieves working together, evidence suggests there are a number of individuals working seperately. 

In one recent incident, police said a man snuck through a fenced-in area near the landfill on Burns Crossing Road in Millersville and stole at least nine batteries from trucks. 

Lt. Glenn Shananan said that the incidents are reminiscient of a past trend involving the theft of catalytic converters. Batteries are far less valuable, but are much easier to steal because they only involve popping of the vehicle's hood, he said.

"You can be an out-of-shape or older drug addict and steal a battery," Shanahan said.  

The trend is apparently not isolated to this area. Mlive.com in Michigan reported in February on a man who stole 255 batteries from trucks in Saginaw. 

It's also been a problem near Charlotte, NC, according to news reports.