HOWARD COUNTY, Md. — After nearly six months of searching, Howard County Police have recovered 18,600 stolen construction tools and identified 155 victims of a widespread scheme.
In May, Howard County Police recovered around 15,000 stolen tools and estimated the value as between $3 million and $5 million. Now, even more have been found. Police said the tools had been stolen from various places across Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, including homes, vehicles, businesses, retail stores and construction sites.
The investigation began in late January when police followed a tracking device in a stolen tool to a storage unit in Elkridge. Investigators found stolen tools when conducting search warrants at at least 12 locations.
Police say it's one of the largest and most expansive theft cases in recent years.
One man, 52-year-old Jose Aceves of Jessup, has been arrested. Aceves faces one count of felony theft scheme. According to court documents, Aceves stole all of the tools between Jan. 31 and April 26.
For the more than 10,000 tools left over that police were not able to return to victims, police will be selling them at auction on Nov. 16. More information about the auction can be found here.