Alcolu lawnmower thieves get creative

ALCOLU, SC (WIS) - Thieves have hit the Clarendon County town of Alcolu, but they weren't looking for cash or jewelry.
    
They got creative to lift nearly $60,000 worth of heavy-duty yard equipment.

Late Saturday night someone shot out a light, made a makeshift bridge over a trench, knocked down some brush and cut through a back fence before making off with around eight lawnmowers.

"You've got people who they don't care about life or property, they're just trying to support some kind of habit or something," says business owner Mike McGee.

McGee says he thought a big fence and lights were enough to keep bad guys out.

After thieves hit three years ago, McGee put in metal posts and a gate at the entrance to stop anyone after hours. But the thieves decided to go another route."

"And the amazing thing with as much effort and work to get in here, get a real job, man," says McGee.

McGee says the thieves also injured his three guard dogs, hitting them with lawnmower blades.

"I really believe it's only going to get worse. I've got some friends who have similar businesses and the only way they stopped it is by having an electrified fence, so that's what we're going to do," he says.

The Clarendon County sheriff says the people who hit McGee's business three years ago are out of jail and still awaiting trial. While they're not listed as suspects yet, both the Sheriff and McGee hope someone saw something late Saturday night that will chop down the lawnmower thieves.

Reported by Brian DeRoy

Posted by Logan Smith