A huge stash of stolen construction equipment worth more than $50,000 has been uncovered by Police.

Cement mixers, toilets, air conditioners, doors and windows were all part of the haul from a number of giant containers across the Island over the past few days.

The equipment is one of the largest seizures in Bermuda’s history and is believed to have been stolen over a period of several years.

Two St. David’s men have already appeared in court to admit crimes in connection with the goods. Detective Inspector Terry Maxwell, who is leading the investigation, said yesterday: “It’s an amazing amount of stuff.”

Det. Insp. Maxwell appealed for people to come forward if they believe they own any of the stolen equipment, some of which may have been taken from building sites or homes where construction work is taking place.

“We want the people of Bermuda to know there has been a significant seizure by Police and that if they believe any of it belongs to them they should get in touch,” said Det. Insp. Maxwell.

Other items in the haul include 104 ten-gallon water containers, tools, plywood lamps, pumps, hot water heaters, wood and hardware material.

Bermuda Police Service spokesman Dwayne Caines warned against accepting property which may be stolen.

“Some of these items will have been stolen so they could be resold,” said Mr. Caines. “We want to advise the public that receiving stolen goods is a crime punishable by fine or jail time.

“Police are in the process of cataloguing all the property to identify what is stolen.”

At Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Carlton Minors, 37, from Great Bay Road, and Stephen McCallan, 36, from Texas Road, admitted going on a construction equipment shopping spree with forged purchase orders at Bermuda Air Conditioning, Masters, Gorham’s and Baptiste Builders’ Supply.

They each pleaded guilty to 15 charges of forgery and 15 charges of attaining goods through false representation and will be sentenced on April 18.

Anybody who believes they have had property stolen should telephone Det. Insp. Maxwell, Sgt. Dean Martin or Sgt. Colin King on 295-0011. Alternatively, call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

* Yesterday, a 35-year-old man appeared in Magistrates’ Court and denied receiving 12 Sanyo air conditioning units belonging to Bermuda Air Conditioning Company, between September 1, 2005, and April 5 this year. He denied a further charge of receiving three Eureka lights belonging to belonging to Universal Electric between March 24 and April 5 this year. He was bailed to reappear at court on May 4.

Police uncover huge haul of construction gear