Over $5,000 worth of equipment was recently stolen from a work site in West Penn Township.

Terry McCullion, owner of L&S Electrical Construction Company in Lehighton, said he has been putting in a double-wide trailer along Route 443, about 1.5 miles west of Normal Square, and noticed something amiss this week.“I pulled in Saturday and saw tracks in the dirt and mud,” he said. “I followed them to where I had equipment stored and I noticed a 12-inch auger and its attachment were both missing.”West Penn Township Police are investigating the theft, which McCullion believes happened Thursday or Friday by someone who specifically wanted that auger.“I had a 30-inch auger right next to it and they didn't take that,” he said. “I've been doing work there and had the equipment out all summer with no incidents.”Whoever took the auger backed up and threw it right in a truck, exiting through the front yard, he added. Neighbors saw a vehicle at the property, but had few details about its make, model or color.“I took pictures of the tire print and have measurements of the wheel base, but this is going to be a tough one,” McCullion said.He is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of the equipment. The theft has set his project back.“I had five or six Christmas trees that I was going to put out front,” he said. “I won't be doing that now.”