CLAY COUNTY, Minn. (KFGO) – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has been inundated with burglary and theft reports over the past couple of months.
Sheriff Mark Empting says the thieves are targeting both rural vacant properties, or what appears to be vacant, and new rural residential and commercial construction sites. The robbers are looking for catalytic converters, tools, and anything not bolted down.
Empting says the thieves are looking for catalytic converters, tools, and anything not bolted down. Patrols have been increased to tighten security in the rural area’s but he says Clay County covers over 1100 square miles and the thieves are hitting everywhere, both day and night.
Fargo businessman John Bultman is among the victims of the rash of rural thefts. His storage site in Clay County was hit twice, most recently, this month. He estimates the loss and damage to his outbuildings at quarter-million dollars. Among the losses; about 70 catalytic converters, three tractors, new tools, and other equipment.
Empting is asking property owners to watch for unknown or suspicious vehicles in their areas. Investigators are advising those who own vacant property with stored items to safeguard the site by installing surveillance cameras.
Anyone who notices suspicious activity is asked to contact the Red River Regional Dispatch Center at 701-451-7660.
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