Snow blower thief caught on camera, wanted by police in Melrose

MELROSE, Mass. — There hasn’t been much snow in Melrose this year, but hardware stores are still stocking snow blowers.

Whittemore Hardware in Melrose is just one of many locally-owned stores preparing for the inevitable “big one” that can come at any time and drop several feet of snow.

They’ve been selling and repairing snow blowers all season, but just this week two of them were stolen.

“I doubt whoever stole them needs two snow blowers. More than likely they're just stealing them but then reselling them for some cash,” manager Mike Whyte said.

Surveillance video caught the thief in action, first casing out the rear of the store in daylight then returning after dark.

The man breaks in, takes one snow blower, runs up the street to load it into a waiting pickup truck, then returns for the second.

“We just realized that at several points throughout the night, snow blowers were taken,” Whyte said.

To make matters worse, those stolen blowers belonged to customers who had dropped them off to be tuned up.

“You know it's a few thousand dollars for anybody. Obviously we take the hit more than a bigger store,” Whyte said.

Melrose police said they haven’t had any other recent break-ins at businesses, but now they are joining Whyte and hoping the community can help catch the thief.

“If you recognize the vehicle or him, definitely give Melrose PD a call and hopefully we can at least prevent him from doing it again,” Whyte said.

The phone number for the Melrose Police Department is (781) 665-1212.

Cox Media Group