An excavator and trailer were stolen from the Town of Sheridan Highway Department just after 11 p.m. on June 18. As shown on security footage, a truck arrived at the Town’s Highway Department building, quickly hooked a trailer carrying a New Holland Mini Excavator to the truck, and drove away within minutes.

Several Sheridan Town Board members share the belief that they are far from alone. Colleen Yerico spoke to the events they witnessed on the security footage, in which a truck pulled up with overhead brights on to distort the view of the Town’s security cameras, as the equipment was quickly hooked up to the truck and taken away.

“It was literally less than 60 seconds, pulling up of the truck, hooking on to the trailer, and driving off,” Yerico said.

Town Board member Joe White added, “They knew what they were doing.”

Pictured is equipment of a similar make and model to what was stolen from the Town of Sheridan Highway Department on June 18. Members of the Town Board believe Sheridan is just one of many victims of an organized group of thieves in the area. Submitted photos

Yerico believes Sheridan’s theft is not an isolated incident. She believes other pieces of equipment such as tractors, lawnmowers and trailers from all around the area have been stolen.

“It’s something going on,” she said.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone acknowledged there have been several similar incidents in the county in recent months.

Quattrone noted a theft of a mini excavator back in April off Route 39 in Hanover. Then, on June 5, a tractor was stolen from Old Chautauqua Road in Gerry. Sheridan’s piece of equipment was the third in the string, in mid-June, followed by a motorcycle theft in Gerry on July 8.

Quattrone stated the Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether there is a connection between the crimes.

Pictured is equipment of a similar make and model to what was stolen from the Town of Sheridan Highway Department on June 18. Members of the Town Board believe Sheridan is just one of many victims of an organized group of thieves in the area. Submitted photos

“I’m not sure if we have any direct linkages between any of them, other than the type of crime,” Quattrone said. “When you have similar crimes, you want to be looking at potential linkages.”

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to evaluate whether there is a connection. In the meantime, the public is urged to be aware of the string of incidents and to take necessary precautions to secure valuable equipment.

As a result of the recent incident, the Town of Sheridan approved the purchase of higher quality security cameras to be placed at the Highway Department building at a cost of $3,881.40. The existing cameras will be repositioned to the Town Court and Community Center.

Anyone with information regarding the Sheridan incident is urged to contact Investigator Eric Vara at (716) 753-4910. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (716) 753-4232.