$5M In Stolen Tools Recovered In Howard County: Police

ELKRIDGE, MD — Millions of dollars in stolen tools have been recovered in various Howard County locations in what authorities believe is one of the largest and most expansive theft cases in the region in recent years.

According to Howard County police, authorities recovered about 15,000 construction tools during an investigation that began in late January when a tracking device in one of the stolen tools led officers to a storage unit in Elkridge. The tools were valued at a total of $3 million to $5 million.

Detectives later executed search warrants at 12 different locations — 11 in Howard County — where the tools were found, police said.

According to authorities, the tools were likely stolen from retail stores, businesses, vehicles, residential properties, and construction sites primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

More than 80 victims have been identified in connection with the thefts, police said; however, detectives believe there are hundreds more.

The stolen tools were mostly kept in storage units in Howard County and detectives believe they were sold at different locations, police said.

"Howard County is a community where all residents should be safe and feel safe, and we just took another giant leap towards achieving that goal," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement. "This case shows the tenacity of our police department in their investigations and in their pursuit of justice."

Anyone who had tools stolen and believes they may be a victim in this case can submit a form online.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed yet, police said.