Equipment theft stats released

Light utility trucks, work trucks and trailers, backhoe loaders and wheel loaders were among the top machines stolen in 2011, according to a LoJack survey of equipment theft statistics in 21 states.

Top theft targets were 5-year-old and newer equipment. At it’s local: in 95 percent of the cases, stolen equipment was recovered in the same state in which it was stolen.

LoJack says top causes of the growth in equipment theft include the fact construction equipment is not titled or registered, machines have Product Identification Numbers rather than the automotive standard 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number, a high demand for equipment, poor jobsite security and an increase in the difficulty of detecting theft.

Top five states for equipment theft:

  1. California
  2. Texas
  3. Florida
  4. Georgia
  5. Arizona

Top five brands stolen:

  1. Ford
  2. John Deere
  3. Caterpillar
  4. Bobcat
  5. Case

For more information, visit lojack.com/Knowledge.