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In A Movie-Worthy Case, A 60-Ton Crane Simply Disappeared From A Power Sector Construction Site. The Theft Of The Heavy Machine Left Authorities And Experts Perplexed, As The Operation Would Require Logistical Planning And Specific Equipment. Months Later, The Whereabouts Of The Equipment Remains A Mystery.
In an incident that surprised authorities, a 60-ton crane valued at over half a million dollars was stolen from a construction site in Columbus, Ohio.
The theft occurred between the night of March 29 and the morning of March 31, 2025.
The crane in question is a 2019 Kenworth Long Boom National Crane. This equipment was being used in the dismantling of steel towers that previously supported high voltage power lines.
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The company owning the crane was responsible for replacing these towers as part of a project aimed at improving local electrical infrastructure, benefiting both residents and a new Google facility in the area.
What The Police Says
According to Sergeant Bill Duffer from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the crane was left on site with the keys in the cabin.
Additionally, the GPS device installed under the dashboard was removed, and the license plates were taken off, indicating meticulous planning on the part of the thieves.
Joe Romecki, operations director for Kent Power in the Midwest, expressed his surprise at the theft, highlighting the complexity involved in operating such a large crane.
“Someone doesn’t just show up and steal this type of equipment,” he stated. He also mentioned that the crane has a manual transmission and requires specific maneuvers, such as ten-point turns in certain conditions, which demands significant experience in operating heavy equipment.
The crane played a crucial role in the project, being used to dismantle sections of steel from the towers and safely place them on the ground.
Although the theft did not affect power supply to residents or the Google facility, it caused significant delays in completing the demolition work on the lattice towers.
Sergeant Duffer emphasized that although theft of construction equipment is relatively common, the theft of a crane of this magnitude is unprecedented in his 30 years of service.
He suggested that the equipment has probably been taken out of state, where the thieves may attempt to sell it on the black market.
In response to the incident, the company owning the equipment implemented additional security measures, including the installation of a portable alarm system and surveillance cameras at the job site.
These precautions had not been adopted previously, as work at the site had recently begun.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an active investigation into the theft and requests that anyone with information contact the Detective Department at (614) 525-3351. Information can be provided anonymously.
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