Lawn Maintenance Companies get hit twice in a matter of weeks.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at 10:27 a.m., Riverside Police receive 911 phone calls reporting a theft that had just occurred on the 300 block of Lawton Road from a landscaping crew truck as they were working on the property on that same block.
While landscapers were working in the back yard of the home, offenders went onto their truck and stole two blowers and other law maintenance equipment. The individuals then jumped into a red van and were last seen going southbound on Harlem from the 3300 block of South Harlem.
Police checked the area and notified surrounding jurisdictions but were unable to apprehend the offenders.
This same type of theft occurred in Riverside on Friday, June 14, 2019, at 9:26 a.m. Landscape workers were cutting grass in the rear of a home on the 100 block of Longcommon Road when an individual, in what was reported as a red car, stole equipment from the landscaping truck parked in front of the residence. Taken in this case were a still chainsaw and two echo bush trimmers with a retail value of $850. The offending vehicle was described as a red Pontiac Grand Prix, possibly two-door, with yellow plates (which would indicate Illinois temporary plates). The offenders were described as male African American who fled westbound on Addison Road toward the center of Riverside. In this case Riverside Police also checked the area but, again, were unable to locate the offenders.
In the incident on the 300 block of Lawton Road the vehicle that fled the scene was described as a red van, make and model unknown. Offenders were described as male African American, early twenties, and thin, tall, short hair. In this theft the value of the property taken was $300.
Riverside Police are releasing this information as it is apparent that landscaping trucks, commonly left in front of residences unattended while landscapers do their work, typically on the side of the house or in the rear yard, are being targeted.
Riverside Police ask that if you see any suspicious activity around landscape trucks, call 911 immediately and give a description and direction of travel so police can attempt to apprehend the offenders.