MANCHESTER, NJ – Many of us have that pile of lumber sitting outside our garage or shed. Maybe you might have bragged about all that lumber you have stored away for a future home renovation project. If you’re somebody who stocked your leftover lumber, you might be sitting on a gold mine these days.
Now, thieves are on the prowl for lumber as prices for wood have skyrocketed. In Manchester, these two accused lumber thieves got away with a haul that could fetch big money on the open market.
“The Manchester Township Police Department needs assistance in identifying these two individuals who are accused of stealing numerous pieces of dimensional lumber (2x4s) from a construction site located in the area of Second Road and Swan Street in Manchester Township,” the Manchester Police Department said.
Prices for lumber have skyrocketed during the pandemic as homeowners began investing in home improvement projects. Prices have shot up from $280 per 1,000 board feet last July to $1,600 per 1,000 board feet this past may. Today, lumber is trading at $1120 per 1,000 board feet.