Security & Theft Stolen container load of rebuilt tractors

[California]

Today (Monday 5/23/05) I stopped by a Northern California importer/distributor of VN reconditioned tractors.

A mechanic told me they received a container of 18 un-assembled tractors at closing time Friday. When they came in Monday the semitrailer was gone. It wasn't clear what he said but they might have offloaded five of the tractors before closing Friday night.

Apparently about a third of the missing tractors were Yanmars, with the others Mitsubishi and Iseki. All would have flawless 'new rebuilt' appearance, and many might include loader mounts like his present stock. I expect the tractors would be fully assembled except their wheels would be loose on the floor of the trailer.

If anyone is offered a 'too good to be true' bulk sale of unassembled tractors right off the truck, check thoroughly before committing! By the time this truck stops it could be anywhere, even as far as the Northeast.

I think this wholesaler prefers to remain low profile so instead of posting their name here, I can respond to PM's from TBN members. I don't know much about this dealer beyond just their name.

It will be interesting to see if this truckload is located due to TBN interest.

 

[chriswheeler]

I was there to this morning looking for parts. Was hopeing the truck driver with the container just got a little anxious to get the rig and container back to the depot, perhaps drove away without looking inside. Lots of luck, that's a high crime area. Think we were there at the same time.
Chris

 

[normde2001]

"When they came in Monday the semitrailer was gone"

Was the truck driver missing also, by any chance?

 

[chriswheeler]

When I drove up they had just got on the phone to the PD to make the report. Don't know if the tractor was left Friday hooked up to the trailer or the trailer just left there for the weekend. My first thought was that the driver, thinking the container was now empty, drove away and returned to the depot. Not knowing the full story it could be that the load was indeed stolen. Bad area of town, might end up as just another police report. Anyone gets a offer to buy a load like that might want to call Sacramento PD. Sure they will be glad to hear from you, bet the dealer would be gratefull as well.
Sacramento Police Department = (916) 808-5151
Chris

 

[thegreatrandini]

I hope they get them back. Keep us posted! I don't like stealing!!!! I would guess they headed for Mexico!!!

 

[normde2001]

They might have to put the "governator" on the trail /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[arthr31]

Maybe yanmar confiscated the container?!? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

anyway, if I find any my way I'll buy 'em, I mean post about them....

 

[LMTC]

3+ years ago several someones stole a container of Bransons from Atlanta. I didn't know about it, but got a call offering us 3 to 6 Bransons at about 1G under dealer cost. OK...so I know something's up, and let's face it, 1G isn't enough to tempt even a DISHONEST dealer. Don't know why they thought they could move them at that price to a Branson dealer. Anyway, I called the warehouse, learned what happened, gave the number to them, long story short, two different counties were involved, and their detectives met these folks to "buy" the tractors that same afternoon. Major dumba$$e$.

I suspect the tractors in question will be sold in some isolated location where buyers won't even know what they are. Don't think they would risk trying to sell them to someone already in the business.