Special to the NEWS
LOS FRESNOS, TX—On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for assistance from the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office regarding a stolen Kubota Skid Steer reported missing on April 17, 2026.
Acting on information that the equipment may be near Los Fresnos, Cameron County Sheriff’s Office investigators promptly launched a targeted search of the area.
Through patrol and attention to detail, investigators identified a Kubota matching the reported description in the rear of a vacant property, according to a Cameron County Sheriff’s Office press release.
According to the release, after a careful inspection, investigators confirmed that the equipment was the same unit that was reported stolen.
“This recovery underscores the strong collaboration among agencies and highlights the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office’s proactive actions and thorough investigative work in locating and securing stolen property,” the release reads.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), heavy equipment theft is a major property crime in the United States, though recent data indicate a significant decline following a post-pandemic surge.
In 2025, such thefts fell 23% from 2024, reaching historic lows after peaking at more than 1 million in 2023. Despite this decline, a major theft in the United States still occurs approximately every 48 seconds.
With 334,114 major thefts reported in the first half of 2025, monthly totals for this type of crime remained consistently lower than those in any month in 2024.
If current trends continued through the end of 2025, major theft totals were expected to decline nationwide for the second straight year.
“The significant declines we are seeing in 2025 demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among law enforcement, insurers, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB. “While theft continues to affect communities nationwide, NICB will continue to foster strong partnerships and advance the use of data analytics to make meaningful progress in protecting consumers, holding criminals accountable, and bringing peace of mind to American communities.”
To prevent theft of vehicles and heavy machinery, the NICB recommends the following: place machinery in well-lit areas. Increased visibility deters thieves, so always leave machinery in a well-lit area or spot near a parking or streetlight.
Roll up all windows when applicable. Limit access points by ensuring windows are rolled up.
Lock doors. Some criminals walk through parking areas testing handles.
Never leave a vehicle or machinery running when unattended. An empty vehicle or a heavy piece of machinery with the engine running is practically an invitation to opportunistic criminals. Always turn off the vehicle or machinery when exiting.
Never leave the keys inside a vehicle or heavy machine. It only takes a moment for thieves to jump in and drive off, according to the NICB.
For an additional layer of security, consider using anti-theft technology. These items include steering wheel locks, audible alarms, kill switches, or aftermarket GPS tracking like AirTags.
According to the NICB, these measures deter thieves from targeting machinery and, if it is stolen, make it easier to find.