06/23/2026
⚠️ ATTENTION KNOX COUNTY RESIDENTS ⚠️
The Knox County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about an ongoing equipment theft and resale scheme affecting communities across Tennessee and Alabama.
A criminal organization operating from out of state has reportedly been renting equipment, including units similar to the one pictured above, from Home Depot and other equipment rental providers. The equipment is then advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms at prices far below market value.
These sales are FRAUDULENT!
In many cases, the equipment is never returned to the rental company and is eventually reported stolen. Individuals who purchase these items risk losing both their money and the equipment when it is recovered by law enforcement.
If you have purchased equipment under suspicious circumstances, or are currently considering the purchase of heavily discounted equipment from an online marketplace, please contact the Knox County Sheriff's Office before completing the transaction.
Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Multiple incidents involving rented and stolen equipment have been reported throughout Tennessee and Alabama, including equipment rented from Home Depot locations in Knoxville and surrounding areas.
For example, the unit recovered below has a new value of approximately $55,000 and was reportedly sold for less than 20% of its retail value with only four hours of use.
Please help protect our community by sharing this information with family, friends, and neighbors. Increased awareness can prevent others from becoming victims of this scam.
If you have information related to these incidents, please contact the Knox County Sheriff's Office.