Several Portland trucking companies have reported thefts of semi truck batteries valued at $230 each.
The reports started coming in last April from half a dozen businesses along Airport Way in Portland, Oregon.
According to KGW, Bridgetown Trucking Inc. on Northeast Airport Way reported 36 batteries stolen during three separate thefts last week. They have since secured the batteries with cable lockdowns and are considering the addition of cameras and fencing.
Other companies, including Jet Expedited, have taken similar measures. On May 11, 2018 at about 4:30 in the morning, Jet Expedited’s cameras captured a suspicious white car backed up against one of its robbed trucks. This was the same morning Bridgetown’s fleet was hit.
The thefts are causing a ripple effect, harming businesses, employees, and their families. All eight of Transmark Carriage Services’ trucks were robbed. Due to tens of thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs, the manager was forced to cut employee hours.
If you have any information on the thefts, or notice a peculiar number of batteries for sale, you’re asked to call the Portland Police non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.