Latest news with #TimberKingSawmill
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Here's how a $20 tracker cracked a massive theft operation in Missouri — plus 3 ways to protect your own valuables
When the St. Louis County Parks Department purchased a $56,000 TimberKing Sawmill, it likely never expected the purchase would one day lead to the discovery of a multi-county theft operation. "We purchased this [TimberKing Sawmill] so we could better utilize urban wood waste instead of just putting it into a dump,' Jason Pratte shared with NewsNation. 'We kept it under lock and key — what we believed was a secure location.' I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) A near-record number of Americans are grappling with $1,000 car payments and many drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to stay ahead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes Unfortunately, that location proved to be a lot less secure than the department had thought. The sawmill was eventually stolen, and even though park officials had placed an AirTag on the machine, the tag was unable to track the sawmill's location. 'It always said no location found, no location found,' said Pratte. 'I was starting to give up hope.' For months, parks department officials waited for the AirTag to activate and reveal the location of the stolen sawmill. And then, out of nowhere, the $20 tracker was activated, giving the parks department exact GPS coordinates to where the sawmill could be found. As it turns out, the AirTag was not activated when the sawmill was initially stolen because no one near the mill's new location was using Apple technology, which apparently is needed for the tag's GPS tracking to kick in. A police investigation revealed that the thieves eventually sold the sawmill to a man in Hawk Point who owned an iPhone, and it was the man's mobile device that activated the AirTag on the sawmill. 'He gave us the information of the gentleman who sold it to him for an unbelievable price,' said detective Andrew Lucca of the Maryland Heights Police Department. Authorities now believe the stolen sawmill was taken to a property in Wildwood, where it was stored for months before it was sold to the man in Hawk Point. During a visit to the Wildwood property, police discovered other equipment that was also believed to be stolen, including golf carts, a John Deere Gator UTV and two Bobcat skid loaders that are worth six figures each. 'Just a $20 AirTag tracker is what led, really, to this case being solved,' said Lucca. While police were able to find those who committed the crimes and return the stolen property to its rightful owners, this story proves how important it is to take extra steps to ensure the safety of your valuable items. Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) If the parks department had not put the AirTag on its expensive sawmill, the thieves likely wouldn't have been caught and all of their stolen goods could still be in their possession. But the parks department was wise enough to go the extra mile to protect its expensive and valuable item, and that's a good lesson for all of us. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways for individuals to follow the parks department's lead and protect their valuable possessions: GPS tracker: Place a GPS tracking device, like an AirTag, on valuable items so that you can track their location if they ever go missing. Mobile alerts: Set up mobile alerts with your banking apps so you can be notified of unusual activity on your accounts. If your credit card is stolen, or if your checking account has been hacked and cash has been withdrawn, you can find out right away and get in touch with your bank. Store valuable items in a secure location: Consider installing a safe in your home for keeping valuable items. If a safe in your home isn't an option, you may also consider a safe deposit box at a local bank. Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies 'I like this stuff': Self-made $500M mogul and YouTuber reveals his 'essential' US portfolio that he says Amazon 'can't hurt' — here's his secret formula and how you can copy it in 2025 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
How a $20 tracker cracked a massive multi-county theft ring
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A path of clues began with an unusual machine—a TimberKing Sawmill, originally purchased by the St. Louis County Parks Department to save money. But how does a $56,000 piece of equipment save cash? By cutting expensive planks from fallen trees instead of paying to buy the premium wood. The department uses the wood for everything from benches to maintenance of Faust Park's historic village. 'Between doors, windows, trim on buildings, sidings on barns, it's an amazing tool,' St. Louis County Park's Tim Emmons said. Forestry's Jason Pratte said the savings are incalculable. 'We purchased this so we could better utilize urban wood waste instead of just putting it into a dump,' he said. 'We kept it under lock and key—what we believed was a secure location.' Yet someone still stole it. Pratte remembers asking himself, 'Holy cow, this is real?' Humpback whale briefly swallows kayaker — and it's all captured on camera The sawmill was stolen from a locked building in a nondescript area off Route 141 near Creve Coeur Lake Park. Despite Pratte placing an AirTag on the machine, it wasn't showing its location. 'It always said no location found, no location found. I was starting to give up hope,' he said. Police now believe it was in Wildwood—a property on Ridge Road that looks like a junkyard. It remained there for three months without alerting GPS tracking because no one at the location had Apple technology nearby, which is necessary to activate the tracker. Things changed after the sawmill was sold to a man in Hawk Point, who apparently owned an iPhone that activated the tracker. Pratte said it gave him exact GPS coordinates and a map. Maryland Heights Police Detective Andrew Lucca went right to that buyer. 'He gave us the information, the gentleman who sold it to him for an unbelievable price,' Lucca said. Their investigation led them to the Wildwood property, where Lucca immediately found much more. 'Other items that were stolen from the Lou Fusz soccer fields, in plain view, including stolen golf carts (and) a John Deere Gator UTV,' he added. How a $20 tracker cracked a massive multi-county theft ring Additionally, they found two Bobcat skid loaders that were stolen from other counties. Each worth over six figures. 'Just a $20 AirTag tracker is what led, really, to this case being solved,' he said. 36-year-old Robert D. Crutcher and 35-year-old Melissa Faix are now charged with stealing from four different counties. The sawmill is back in business. 'Amen to that, yes—it is a wonderful thing,' Emmons said. With government workers proud to say they're saving you money—and getting Faust Park ready for your spring visit. 'This is why I do my job; that's why I'm a public servant,' Pratte added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
