Construction costs are high across the country as real estate booms, but recently, one site in Orange County is seeing costs go up as lumber is stolen.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a release Tuesday saying it is investigating thefts of lumber from an unnamed site on Monday, August 2 and Friday, August 6. According to the sheriff’s office, two men drove vans up to the site in early morning hours and loaded “a large quantity of oriented strand board, more commonly known as OSB” into their vehicles.

Motion-activated trail cameras caught footage of the suspects in action, as they drove a white van for the first trip and a black van for the second.

Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in Tuesday’s release that since OSB is used in about 70 percent of all floor, wall and roof sheathing in construction, it’s currently a valuable commodity.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues significantly increased the cost of building materials,” he said, “which unfortunately led to an increase in the number of thefts from construction sites. My deputies are patrolling the construction sites in their areas more frequently. Additionally, we are publishing a tip sheet to help site managers improve site security and deter thefts such as these.”

Suspects with a white van take oriented strand board, more commonly known as OSB, from a construction site in Orange County in early August. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)

A suspect prepares to load stolen oriented strand board into a black van at a construction site in Orange County in early August. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help identifying the two men caught on video. Anyone who may have information on their identities or the August 2 and August 6 robberies is encouraged to call Investigator Baldwin with the office at 919-245-2030.

Construction site managers are encouraged to come by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to pick up a tip sheet about security. Tuesday’s release said they can also call 919-245-2900 to request one be delivered to the job site.

 

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Sheriff's Office: 1 Arrested, 1 At Large After Attempted Burglary
A Durham man is wanted by local law enforcement after an attempted break-in and burglary of an Orange County business, a high-speed chase and car crash during the early hours of Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A release Thursday afternoon said the office took out six felony warrants against 24-year-old Erlin Lopez […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Discovery of Human Remains
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating human remains found off Hawk Ridge Road Saturday afternoon. According to a release, a person walking a dog found the remains at approximately 2 p.m. near the road, which is located off Dodsons Crossroad west of Chapel Hill. Investigators and a medical examiner are working to […]
2,500-Person Party Leads to Numerous Calls, Charges for Orange County Property Owner
An Orange County property owner is facing numerous charges after a party on his land attended by more than 2,500 people led to underage, intoxicated revelers wandering through traffic and numerous calls for assistance. Dwight B. Poole, 60, is charged with six counts of aiding and abetting people under the age of 21 to consume […]
Orange County Sheriff Blackwood Appointed to Chair of North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission
After serving on the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission for nearly eight years, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood will now have the chance to lead the group.
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Carrboro Man Charged With 10 Counts of Child Sexual Exploitation
The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced charges against a Carrboro resident for the sexual exploitation of a minor Wednesday afternoon.
17-Year-Old Suspect Sought for Gunfire, Domestic Assault in Orange County Surrenders to Authorities
A 17-year-old wanted for a domestic violence incident involving gunfire turned himself in to the Orange County Magistrate’s Office on Monday.
Snow, Ice Create 'Treacherous' Roads in Orange County; Sheriff Urges Drivers to Stay Home
An increase in snowfall and cold temperatures on Wednesday led to rapidly deteriorated road conditions in Orange County and the surrounding area — causing several crashes and traffic slowdowns.
Hillsborough Man Charged With Multiple Counts of Child Exploitation
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Hillsborough man Friday and have charged him with 15 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The sheriff’s office says Christopher M. Watson, 45, turned himself in at the magistrate’s office, immediately posted a $7,500 secure bond and appeared in court Monday afternoon. According to the sheriff’s […]
'They're Not Giving Us What We Need': Orange County Sheriff on ICE Detainer Law
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood discusses why he's not a fan of North Carolina's new immigration law - and what would be better.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests Hillsborough Man on Sexual Exploitation Charges
A Hillsborough man faces a litany of sexual exploitation charges after his arrest on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff's Office announced.
›