7 Strange & Unexpected Valuables That Thieves Are Currently Targeting
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When people think about home theft, they usually imagine stolen television, cash, or jewelry. But thieves often look for quick, easy-to-grab items, some of which are sitting right outside your house!
From garden tools to electrical wiring, many everyday items are surprisingly valuable and are becoming popular targets.
Table of contents
1. Garden tools and equipment
You might not see your wheelbarrow or hedge trimmer as a hot-ticket item, but some thieves might. Quality power tools and lawn equipment are easy to grab and resell, especially from open garages or unsecured sheds.
How to protect them:
Lock sheds, use motion-activated lights, and consider engraving more expensive tools with an ID or phone number to make resale less appealing.
2. BBQ grills and smokers
That fancy grill you use for summer cookouts isn’t just great for burgers, it’s also a tempting target. High-end BBQ equipment can be worth a lot on the secondary market.
How to protect them:
Secure grills with a weather-resistant cable lock or chain when not in use, especially if your backyard is accessible from a public alley or sidewalk.
3. Air conditioning units
Exterior A/C units may seem too bulky to steal, but they’re full of valuable copper tubing that’s easy to strip and resell. In some cases, thieves reportedly posing as repair techs have walked away with entire systems in broad daylight!
How to protect them:
Mount the unit off the ground if possible, enclose it in a locked cage, and install motion-activated lighting nearby.
4. Outdoor art and sculptures
Even small garden statues or fountains can be surprisingly valuable and alluring to thieves. Bronze, copper, and even iron sculptures have both scrap and resale value.
How to protect them:
Bolt them to heavier bases if you can, install motion-sensor lighting, or place them in harder-to-access locations. If you’re installing expensive art, consider installing a CCTV camera too.
5. Extension cords and electrical wiring
Think your orange extension cord is safe on the patio? Think again. Copper wiring inside cords is often sought after by scrap thieves.
How to protect them:
Never leave cords or wiring out overnight. Store them inside in a locked shed or garage.
6. Bicycles (even rusty ones!)
It’s no secret that bikes are often stolen, but what’s surprising is that even damaged or low-end ones frequently get swiped too. Many are taken for parts or quickly flipped online.
How to protect them:
Lock bikes with a U-lock (not just a cable lock), even when in your garage or yard. Register them with your local police or online bike registries for added recovery potential.
7. Firewood
Yes, even firewood! With rising heating costs and the popularity of wood-burning stoves, a neatly stacked woodpile can be worth a lot of money. Thieves may target more rural or poorly lit homes for quick hauls.
How to protect it:
Store firewood in a fenced or lit area and consider installing CCTV.
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Final thoughts
While you don’t need to completely booby-trap your backyard, staying one step ahead of opportunists is always a good idea. Many of these items aren’t protected by standard home insurance or are hard to track once stolen.
Taking small measures, like better lighting, CCTV and secure storage, can go a long way in keeping your unexpected valuables where they belong.
Have you ever had anything strange or unexpected stolen from your home or yard? Let us know in the comments.
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Have had driveway lit poles stolen in broad daylight twice!
The day after 9-11, I bought 25 small American flags to put around the perimeter of my property. When I woke up the next morning, they were all gone.