Police Say Man Acted Suspiciously Hours Before Theft
Police said the lawnmower was taken from the Sears at the Mall of New Hampshire on Friday morning. Surveillance cameras didn't capture the theft, but they did show a man acting suspiciously the evening before, police said.
"He's in the store at 6:15 on the 14th, and like I said, the crime takes place between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on the 15th." Detective Robert Keating said.
Police said the man shown on the tape had bolt cutters in his pocket and, after taking a look around the store, went to the tool aisle and began sharpening them with a file hanging on the wall.
"It's definitely not normal surveillance, but people do some weird things these days," Keating said.
The surveillance video shows that the man stops filing as another man walks by before continuing. Later, the same man is seen looking at the riding lawnmowers outside. He then walks to a U-Haul van parked in the lot where another person is standing.
"There's a second subject he appears to have a quick conversation with and then leaves the area," Keating said.
Given the type of cable used to tie up the lawnmowers, Keating said a tool like bolt cutters would be needed to steal one.
Police said they hope someone might recognize the man after seeing the video, although they said he hasn't been positively linked to the stolen lawnmower.
Keating said whoever took the orange-colored Husqvarna may be planning to sell it. He said thieves sometimes approach landscapers and offer to sell them the equipment at a discounted rate.
Police said there have been similar crimes in stores in Massachusetts, and they are working with authorities there to see if there is a connection.
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