Hanahan Investigating Container Thefts

The Hanahan Police Department is investigating the recent disappearance of two shipping containers from local storage yards.

Nationwide Transporters contacted police on Oct. 3 to report that a container and chassis were left at the yard on Sept. 22 and expected to be taken back to the port on Sept. 26, but it had been stolen. The value was estimated at $3,000.

Just down the street, two days later, Eagle Systems reported that a container and chassis had been stolen from its yard. The manager stated that the container had been parked at noon on Oct. 4 and found missing the following morning. The value was estimated at $10,000.

Lt. Michael Fowler said the two thefts are likely related.

"We go through this, along with other agencies, several times a year," he said.

The containers are usually recovered out of state, if at all, Fowler said. They're also sold for scrap.

The Post and Courier reported last year that from 2007 to 2009, 61 shipping containers were stolen within the City of North Charleston. Most were reportedly recovered at the Port of Miami.