Police recover stolen trailer and equipment using tracking device
Jan 7, 2025, 10:31 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of dollars in specialized construction equipment are back in the hands of their rightful owner after thieves made off with an entire trailer full of gear. Thanks to a small yet effective precaution, the business owner was able to recover everything within days.
For nearly 15 years, Julian Cole-Nieves has worked in the trim carpentry industry, building a reputation for quality craftsmanship. But in late November, his livelihood was put in jeopardy.
“All my stuff is gone,” Cole-Nieves recounted. Thieves had stolen his entire trailer, along with all the equipment inside—valued at nearly $40,000.
South Jordan Police Department Lt. Adrian Montelongo noted that such thefts are not uncommon. “Some of these thefts are crimes of opportunity, which makes it difficult to track things down,” Montelongo explained. However, Cole-Nieves’ story took an unusual turn because of one inexpensive precaution he had taken.
Inside the trailer, Cole-Nieves had placed two small GPS trackers. These devices, costing around $20-$30 each, were discreetly hidden among his tools for precisely this kind of scenario. “All of my tools or my AirTags were pinging in a garage,” he said.
Thousands of dollars in specialized construction equipment are back in the hands of their rightful owner after thieves made off with an entire trailer full of gear. Thanks to a small yet effective precaution, the business owner was able to recover everything within days. (Avi Robledo, KSL TV)
Using the tracker’s signal, Cole-Nieves quickly identified a location in Kearns, Utah. Armed with this information, law enforcement obtained a search warrant within hours.
“They had enough probable cause to move in,” Cole-Nieves recalled. The raid involved officers in bulletproof vests and riot shields. By the end of the operation, much of Julian’s equipment was recovered. Within days he had it all back, including the trailer.
“A small GPS device that cost him maybe $20-30 saved him tens of thousands of dollars in property,” Montelongo said, highlighting the value of inexpensive security measures.
But the story didn’t end there. Cole-Nieves’ social media post about the theft and recovery went viral, garnering nearly 5 million views. The attention put unexpected pressure on the thief. “The thief saw it and was pressured by his family to turn himself in,” he said.
This experience has made him even more cautious. “I now have seven AirTags in my trailer, a wheel lock with a 12-decibel alarm. So, hopefully it does the trick,” he said with determination.
With his tools and trailer back, he’s ready to continue doing what he loves: creating exceptional trim work.
Due to the high dollar amount of the crime, both men involved face felony charges.
