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A tip from a suspicious potential buyer has helped the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division find nearly $250,000 in stolen construction equipment.
Detectives were looking for two large loaders that were stolen last November from the South Towne Mall and a nearby area.
Utah Tax Commission spokesman Charlie Roberts says the thief raised suspicion when he tried to sell them for several thousand dollars. The potential buyer sensed something was wrong.
"He just knew it wasn't a fair deal and contacted our officers," he said.
Authorities say the suspect, a Springville man whose name has not been released, fixed up and even painted one loader. But he also ground off one of the vehicle identification numbers and welded on his own name.
He'll now face numerous felony charges.
Roberts says thefts like this are becoming more common. Last year, detectives recovered two other tractors stolen from construction sites. One of them was on its way across the Mexican border.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
