FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A bizarre heavy equipment theft that began in Northern Virginia ended in Kentucky, where police say a stolen bulldozer was recovered during an undercover sting operation.
Theft of the Bulldozer
The incident began on August 11, when suspects allegedly took a bulldozer from a construction site near Chain Bridge Road and the Dulles Toll Road. Police said the suspects convinced workers that the machine needed repairs, towed it away, and left the stunned owner wondering where his bulldozer had gone.
“This case is bizarre, probably for everyone involved — for viewers, for police and certainly for the victim at that point in time,” said Fairfax County Police Maj. James Curry.
Tracking the Machine to Kentucky
Investigators later discovered the bulldozer had been listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace under false pretenses. Working with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky, police uncovered connections between the suspects and several other equipment thefts valued at more than $185,000.
To confirm their suspicions, the departments set up an undercover sting by requesting two additional pieces of heavy equipment. On August 29, officers arrested two suspects when they attempted to complete the deal.
Suspects and Charges
Authorities identified the suspects as:
- Dushon Shepherd, 34, of Michigan
- Bria Parks, 23, of Washington, D.C.
Both face felony charges of receiving stolen property valued at $10,000 or more…