Stolen Tractor Spotted Before Burr Ridge Theft Known: Cops

BURR RIDGE, IL – A piece of equipment was stolen from a construction project in a Burr Ridge subdivision, but a worker spotted it hours later in Chicago before the company knew it was missing, according to a Burr Ridge police report.

On March 17, camera footage showed the skid steer tractor being stolen from the 100 block of Carriage Way Drive.

This is footage of Alan Horticulture's tractor on a trailer in Chicago. Police said it had been stolen hours earlier in Burr Ridge.

Less than two hours later, an employee of Warrenville-based Alan Horticulture saw the tractor with the company's logo on a trailer in Chicago. He took a photo and sent it to the firm's CEO, who confirmed it was the company's. The employee also took video.

When the employee took the picture, the driver appeared to notice him. He got into the cab of the tractor-trailer, which had no license plates, and drove away. The employee followed him.

The driver increased his speed and ended up crashing into parked cars near 41st Street and Pulaski Road, police said. While attempting to lose the employee, the skid steer fell off of the trailer, police said.

The employee then called Chicago police. The damaged equipment, which was valued at $60,000, was recovered, but the driver was not caught.

No one was supposed to be on the construction site on March 17, which was a Sunday.