Washer-Dryer Theft From Driveway Scares Daughter

If you're trying to categorize larcenies, file this one under "brazen."

On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 13, somebody saw a used washer and dryer in a driveway on New York Drive, Concord, and apparently loaded it into their white van and drove off, a neighbor reported.

"The idea that someone is driving around the Clayton Valley area or Concord, or anywhere else for that matter, looking for and equipped to steal large appliances is both funny and scary," wrote Jolene Bailey in an email. She was giving the 5-year-old washer and dryer to her 72-year-old mother. The washer and dryer were temporarily parked in the driveway with a car parked in front of them, awaiting a contractor to come and install the appliances.

The neighbor saw a large, unmarked white truck or van parked on the street between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, but did not see anyone load the appliances in the vehicle.

"My mom and I have been consolidating houses and donating a lot of things recently," Bailey said. "So it's doubtful any neighbor would have thought it was suspicious behavior even if he'd seen the appliances being loaded up. When my mom returned from Bible Study in Clayton around 11:30, the washer and dryer were gone."

An officer did a canvas of the neighborhood and was "unable to develop any witness information or physical evidence," said Concord Police Lt. Robin Heinemann.

If you have any information about this case, please call Concord police at (925) 671-3220 or the tip line at (925) 603-5836.