Over $350K worth of construction equipment recovered by police after man finds allegedly stolen skid steer for sale online

Jun 14, 2023

Construction equipment

York Regional Police recovered over $350,000 worth of construction equipment after a man found his allegedly stolen skid steer for sale online. - York Regional Police photo

More than $350,000 worth of construction equipment was recovered by York Regional Police after a man found his allegedly stolen skid steer for sale online.

On July 27, York Regional Police were contacted by a man who reported that on July 1, his skid steer loader was allegedly stolen from a construction site in Toronto. Shortly after it was allegedly stolen, the man reportedly found the equipment for sale online. A skid steer or skid loader is any class of compact heavy equipment with lift arms that can attach to a variety of buckets and tools, police said.

Investigators were able to recover allegedly stolen construction equipment with a total value of over $350,000, including a mini excavator, mini power bucket, two heavy-duty float trailers, boat trailer and skid steer, according to the YRP.

Michael Lopez, 30, from Brampton is charged with trafficking property over $5,000 and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police No. 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau Property Crime Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7142. Anyone who wants to provide information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or provide a tip online at www.1800222tips.com.