Theft-to-order ring went from Cleveland to Pittsburgh
The pitch to co-workers or bar patrons, police say, went like this:
“Hey, anybody interested in buying a trailer?”
Somebody was. Big-screen TVs, riding mowers, motorcycles, frozen food and more exchanged hands in what authorities charge was a sophisticated theft-to-order ring in the Rust Belt region stretching from Cleveland to Western Pennsylvania.
Police said the thieves, seeking quick cash for drugs, stole and sold high-demand items for more than 1 1/2 years, often at up to 85 percent discount from retail prices and sometimes to return customers.
“You don’t steal these things unless you have a customer,” said Canfield police Detective Sgt. Andy Bodzak.
Hat tip to Kara!
