Every year heavy equipment worth millions of dollars is stolen from contractors across the nation. In 2010 alone, more than 13,000 machines were reported stolen, says Ryan Shepherd, operations manager for the National Equipment Register (NER). That number is based on police reports, insurance data and reports to the NER, so it might leave out thefts that go unreported.
Nineteen percent of the equipment reported stolen – about one in five pieces – was recovered, according to the NER's 2010 annual report. Where does stolen equipment go if not recovered? Mostly for resale to
