CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NBC Charlotte is learning of a recent crime every taxpayer needs to hear about.
There was a major theft at the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation facility on Brookshire Boulevard. In all, police said thieves stole about $200,000 worth of county vehicles and equipment.
Now NBC Charlotte is asking county leaders what the crime means for taxpayers.
County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour said it’s the largest county theft he’s heard about; one of the vehicles stolen is worth $70,000.
“I think it’s outrageous. These thieves didn’t steal from some nameless, faceless government entity, that equipment and those vehicles belong to the people of Mecklenburg County, and that’s who really suffers,” Commissioner Ridenhour told NBC Charlotte.
The incident happened between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Thursday, according to the police report. Thieves stole 24 items, including three vehicles totaling roughly $180,000.
The vehicles included a 2009 GMC C-5500 truck, a Kubota front end loader, and a 2017 CAT skid-steer tractor. In addition, multiple trailers and other construction equipment was stolen.
“I’ve never heard of anything of this size being stolen from the county before, usually it’s something smaller, a break into a facility,” Commissioner Ridenhour said. “But this is certainly the largest single theft I’ve heard of.”
A county spokesman declined to answer NBC Charlotte’s questions, including if the crime will impact the county’s budget and whether insurance will pay for any of it.
“It’s something we all chipped in to buy really, and now someone stole from all of us,” Commissioner Ridenhour told NBC Charlotte.
Police said no charges have been filed in the case at this point.
