Nearly $1M in Stolen Construction Equipment Found in Chicago Home

Chicago police are asking people who’ve had construction equipment stolen in recent months to report to a West Side district station to identify items allegedly found in a man’s home.

Police say investigators found $750,000 to $1 million in stolen goods at the home of 53-year-old Jerome Brown. Among the items were bicycles, landscaping equipment, commercial-grade tools and ladders.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says investigators believe Brown “operated a fencing operation specializing in power tool and construction equipment.”

The man was arrested June 30 and charged with theft, drug possession and possessing a firearm without a valid state identification card. Brown was ordered held in lieu of $15,000 bail July 2, and has been released on bond, according to court records.

It wasn’t immediately known if Brown has a lawyer.