By: Melissa Toupin
mtoupin@abc6.com
For three years businesses in a Seekonk, Mass industrial park have been targeted by thieves. In the most recent theft the brazen robbers made off with $11,000 worth of equipment. Business owners believe the cases are connected and they don't think police are doing enough to help.
Two of the companies,Matt's Landscaping and Cryan Landscaping, have spent thousands of dollars upgrading their security. Since the thefts began they've added fences and cameras, but so far the robbers haven't been deterred.
The most recent theft occurred Saturday night. Thieves packed thousands of dollars worth of lawnmowers, weed wackers and hedge trimmers from Cryan Landscaping into a truck, then rammed it through a fence to get away.
"They came prepared," said owner Kevin Cryan. "They had bandanas and little lights on their forehead. They knew what they were doing."
Just a few months ago Matt Habershaw's landscaping company, which is located in the same industrial park, was also targeted. He reinforced the fence surrounding his business after $40,000 worth of equipment was taken.
"I really think it's somebody's watching what's going on here. Definitely. Because they know. They picked the perfect times to hit," said Habershaw.
Habershaw says he's been robbed twice since 2009.
Cryan believes all the thefts in the area, nearly half a dozen of them, are connected.
"They took similar equipment. It's pretty brazen," said Cryan.
In the three years since the first robbery at Orion Industrial Park, there have been no arrests. Cryan says police aren't doing enough. He says he gave them information about stolen equipment in November that was sold on Craigslist.
"The person wasn't charged, wasn't really followed up thoroughly, and nothing ever happened," said Cryan.
Seekonk Police tell ABC6 it was unclear if the equipment had traded hands before the seller put the add online. Police also say they've stepped up patrols in the area.
Habershaw believes the solution lies with those buying the equipment.
"If something seems too good to be true then it is," said Habershaw.
Cryan is taking things into his own hands, offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps catch and convict whoever stole his equipment.
