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Sandra Yi ReportingBlake Lukanowski: "Well, it's just kind of rude. Why would they want a pair of skis?"
Police in Park City have recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen skis and snowboards. Police tracked the suspect after a pair of stolen skis showed up on the auction website, eBay. If you're planning to hit the slopes, police want you to keep in mind, thieves are on the prowl.
Blake Lukanowski recognizes her skis in an instant. She lost them just as quickly. On Saturday, she and a friend were skiing in Park City.
Blake Lukanowski: “We just went to eat and get warmed up and be came back and both our skis
Police busted the suspect after another victim saw his stolen skis on eBay and called police. The suspect is a juvenile from Utah County.
Sgt. Annette Ellis, Park City Police Dept.: "He admitted to stealing many more than those. However, he not longer had those in his possession."
Police say ski and snowboard thefts are on the rise.
Sgt. Annette Ellis: "We actually have a fair amount of ski thefts from the Park City area, be it from the resorts, sometimes they're from vehicles, sometimes they're from people's garages."
Park City police started a ski and snowboard registration program to deter thefts and track stolen property. Owners fill out a form, including the serial number, and put a sticker on their equipment. Blake Lukanowski filled out one today.
Linda Lukanowski, Blake’s Mom: "It doesn't hurt. I think we were lucky that the person was caught and that they actually had some skis. I think this probably happens more often than we know."
Lukanowski says she's learned her lesson.
Blake Lukanowski: "I'd say, take apart your skis and put one on the other side and put one somewhere else, so they won't just take one."
Linda Lukanowski: "I'm grateful that she got her skis back. That's a $500 or $600 savings. I think she's really lucky to have gotten them back."
You can register your equipment at the Park City Police Department or the Park City Mountain Resort. If you've had your skis stolen, police urge you to file a report. If you already have, they'll be contacting you if they find your stolen stuff.
