CALIFORNIA THIEVES STEAL COMPUTERS FROM CONSTRUCTION SITEArchived Story: "Thieves targeting construction sites
By Mark Baylis/Staff Writer


A recent wave of burglaries has hit area construction sites hard, netting thousands of dollars in equipment, tools and materials.
More than a half-dozen construction sites in Santa Maria and outlying areas have reported thefts in the last several months, including two this week, police and sheriff's deputies said.

Thieves have dipped into both residential and commercial developments under the cover of darkness and made off with thousands of dollars of goods each time.
Sometimes they just toss a few tools into a vehicle, police said. Other times they break into on-site storage units with bolt cutters or torches, back in large trucks and load up.
'It's a growing concern because of the high number of various construction sites we have,' said Santa Maria Police Lt. Mike Cordero. 'These people get into some of these locations and can get a lot of high-dollar property out in a short period of time.'
The worst hit came a month ago when thieves stole $50,000 to $100,000 worth of goods, according to a Santa Maria Valley Contractors Association's report.

Thieves hit two residential development sites last weekend, police said. They grabbed computers and other materials from a Nipomo development at 900 Via Concha. "