Stolen Power Wash Trailer

kcpowerclean

kcpowerclean

Member
Hi Guys,
I regret to tell all that our pride and joy power wash trailer was stolen on Sunday night from a security public storage.

Please be on the look-out if you're buying used equipment/trailers.
It's replacement value will total over $18,000. All of it bought since March 2011. It's the trailer on the back of our van on the header of this website:
KC Power Clean - Power Washing | Window Cleaning | Orange County | Los Angeles

Items on Trailer and Replacement Value
-Carson Trailer tandem axle 6.5’x12’ utility trailer with full-size spare tire and mount bracket intalled
$1800 VIN 4HXSU1228BC156337
-2011 Hydrotek sc35006vg Hot-water power washer
$7700 serial #: 201002168
-Hydrotek auto discharge vacuum with installed stainless steel collapsing preventer and 100’ of grey vacuum hose:
vacuum $1600
stainless steel insert $125
hose $200
Stainless steel scupper $100
blue 4” filter with mesh $175
-Homelite 3500 watt generator
$650
-Landa Waterjet Surface Cleaner 20”
$1800
-Husky tool box black
$300
-Hydrotek stainless steel hose reels with dual stacking rack installed
$500
-5/8” Contractor Quality Goodyear hose 150’
$200
-200’ of 3/8” 2 wire, non-marking quality power wash hose
$375
-150 gallon clear water tank plumbed out with all fittings and hoses
$400
-150 gallon black water tank plumbed out with all fittings and hoses
$400
-Power wash wands, guns, lances
$250
-safety cones (x8)
$150
-halogen lights (x2)
$20
-labor to assemble trailer from R&B Products
approx $1000
-tools for operating on machine/trailer in husky box along with detergents, work boots, grease gun, oil filter wrench, 3 crescent wrenches, walnut shelled filters
approx $500

Total Replacement Value: $18,245


I have quite the story to tell about this because the managers/employees are familiar with the one who did it and I firmly believe that the storage facility acted negligently by authorizing a man personal access who they had no papertrail on. In fact, they couldn't even verify his name other than they think it is Tony and they have a cell phone number. He is a guy who they call to come and pick up heavy items left behind by tenants who move out but "would only come during supervised business hours". After a year of free friendly service, and being granted top-tier access (anytime from 4am-11:59pm- I have his login sheet...) he decided to make his move. They weren't even aware that he would come every night to dive through the dumpster. Over 22 visits in February 2012 alone (I know because I have been scanning surveillance footage from their facility with their permission). I am hoping to speak with their insurance tomorrow but if they can't settle quickly then it will turn very ugly very quickly. I will post the story of the events in the following days, but for now I am low on time and sleep. Thanks in advance for your help...

P.S. Has anybody had any luck going after the insurance of the storage facilities? What about in cases where there was definite negligence?
 
Hey Kris.. That truly sucks. They should be held accountable. Can you articulate that you have probable cause to press charges. If so then also report this theft to the police Dep't that has jurisdiction in that area. If they tell you it's a civil matter then jump over there heads and go straight to the district attorneys office. This is only if you can articulate that a crime was committed. And can't be you think a crime was committed. You have to have enough proof where they can bring charges forward and if they do make sure you sign on the 32b (Deposition) that you want the person(s) who did this to be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows then sign it. That will show you mean business and "F" the guy who thinks he can just steal away your livelihood.
Good luck.
 
Hi John,Thanks for the advice. I have 8 minutes of full surveillance with this guy's mugshot all over it. The manager and employee both recognized him as he was pulling up and said, "no bleeping way, friggin Tony" From there it was just watching it take place on the 16 camera surveillance system. What is disappointing is that we had nothing to turn over to the police the next morning other than a cell phone number and a probable first name. And even more disappointing is that he shouldn't have even had access with his personal code to get in. He was told to come and pick up a dresser that night. The next morning the dresser was still there until the Salvation Army came and picked it up...
 
Man I hate too hear this. I have been scaning the net almost daily for used equipment all over the state. I'll have my eyes open up here for you.
I have lived in cali for just over ten years now and have had three different cars stollen. I've been lucky to have gotten them all back.
 
Sorry to hear about that but hopefully you will get the right people involved and things will happen.

I would contact all the news channels as they love stories like this, here we have 888-TIPS to show crimes being committed like people breaking into places at nite, clerks getting robbed, banks getting robbed, etc.... they ask the public for help identifying these people and if they know where to find them.

I have known 3 people here that have had trailers stolen throughout the years so I try to protect my trailers with the hitch locks at all times unless the trailer is connected to my truck, too many stealing trailers to take across the border to mexico or to be used on ranches and never to be seen again.

The police dept. runs the 888-TIPS which is a part of Crimestoppers and they offer up to $1000 cash reward to the info leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Maybe the media will jump on this opportunity to help you out, time is of the essence.

Good luck.
 
California is a big state with high crime and some of the dumbest cops ever. Man i hope you get it back. Please tell me you have your own insurance just in case. And dont give them a chance to weasel out. Your next call should be to your lawyer, document everything. If he's any good you get back the equipment cost @the top dollar, loss of revenue, and a cherry on top.
 
Hey man I hate to hear that!!! What a real loser!!!

I hope you can track it down, and I wish you the best!!!
 
wow, we had someone break into out lot night before last. We got him on camera. Unfortunatley we couldnt make out his plate #. Someone from the News station are comming over tomorrow and we are giving them the tape. They didnt get anything of mine, cut the lock off my trailer and ended up stealing the other trailer that the guy in the shop next to me owns. Sorry to hear about ur stuff getting stolen. Always a bummer.
 
There was an alternative to lojack that seemed to be very affordable but I cannot remember what the name was. I think it was like $500 or less and it was about the same thing, you report the equipment, truck, car, trailer, etc.... stolen and they track the signal within 10' and it is recovered as long as the device is not found and destroyed.

Anyone remember what these were?

I need to get some for the trucks and trailer rigs so even if they are stolen, they might be recovered and the people caught.
 
Good call on the gps. Check out www.Enfotrace.com I used them working for a local used dealership. We had a buy here pay here with pretty high turnover. These units are only about 2"x2" and only 1/2" thick, just need 12v. Log on to the online system and you get a location within a min. I dont really know the costs of just 1 or 2 units but we had several and each ran about $100 in each unit after said and done. These can also go on any vehicle like a box truck, they can be wired to kill the starter as well if youd like.
 
Thanks for the info, the Enfotrace looks like something that is affordable, I will be calling them for pricing.

That small and if they are under a few hundred dollars each, it would be a good idea to install one on every skid unit and vehicle so they might be recovered if ever stolen.
 
I just watched their installation video and it is not that complicated.

Just wondering where to put one in a hot water pressure washing skid so it will not be visable and not be blocked by metal so the satellites can see it.

I just sent them a message to find out how much they cost.

Thanks again for posting about it.
 
I was thinking in the top cover of the battery box but would like to find another place that is harder to find it on a hot water skid but where vibration and high heat will not affect it. I was also thinking maybe in the air cleaner box but that is metal, they mentioned that it should not be under metal.
 
I would suggest meeting with a Senior manager at the storage facility. Allow this person a reasonable opportunity to explain how they intend to protect you as a customer. If he doesn't respond accordingly have a lawyer send him a letters describing your direct loss and its value and then describing your indirect losses of daily revenue. This would need to be supported with invoices if it goes to court so make sure it is actual $$. The best way to get a response in this type of situation is to apply pressure. If their potential loss increases daily they will move more quickly to resolve the issue for you, their customer.
 
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