They're huge, they're heavy and they're hard to hide. But for some reason serial thieves have a thing for bridge-launching girders.
Three times since June three men in two trucks have pulled up to a gated compound in Richmond and helped themselves to $200,000 worth of bridge-construction materials.
Now the question is - why? "That's a good question," said Richmond RCMP Cpl. Annie Linteau, whose officers are stumped by the three thefts.
"It would probably have been moved out of Richmond or out of the Lower Mainland. These are not the type of materials that would be easily concealed."
Someone may simply be in need of an extra bridge or a big thinker might slowly sell off the steel girder as scrap metal.
"It would be extremely difficult," said Linteau, "but it's always possible. We've run out of investigative avenues, so now we're asking for the public's help."
The stolen material is referred to in the construction industry as a "launching girder," usually used to make bridges. Police released photos of the missing pieces Sunday - all blue and yellow - and have received a few tips.
The three men are believed to have used a white Ford "flat-deck" truck and a green GMC or Chevrolet pickup to haul off the loot from a gated compound at Van Horne and Great Canadian ways.
Anyone with information is asked to call Richmond RCMP Const. Jennifer Chow at 604-278-1212 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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