The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is urging residents and business owners to lock up and track their trailers.
Over the past few months #teamHCSO has started to see a rise in trailer thefts in Hillsborough County. Trailers are often targeted by thieves due to the ease they can sometimes be taken, and later registered as a new trailer with the DMV. That's why detectives are asking residents and business owners to protect themselves and their property by making it hard for criminals to take what doesn't belong to them. Here are some helpful ways to protect trailers from getting stolen.
1. Always park your trailer in a well lit, and if possible in a secure area such as a fenced backyard or inside a garage.
2. Lock it up. It is easy to find and purchase a simple hitch lock or a trailer wheel boot at a local hardware or auto parts store.
3. Mark your trailer. Put an identifiable mark such as your name, in an inconspicuous spot, and take pictures of that marking to give to deputies in case your trailer is stolen.
4. Attach or hide a GPS tracking tag on the trailer so that deputies can quickly recover your property and put away the bad guys.
"Some of these criminals are crafty, and looking for the opportunity to victimize their neighbors or local business owners in order to make a quick buck," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Don't make it easy for them to steal what you've worked hard to acquire. Lock it Up and Track Your Trailer!"
Here is surveillance video from a couple cases that #TeamHCSO is working, where thieves can be seen stealing trailers in our area: https://youtu.be/BuPpwl2er_Q
We remind everyone that if they see something, say something. You can always call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.