this theft was reported on the two-cylinder magazine web site:REPORT OF STOLEN CARBURETORS! Karl Berns, of Berns Machinery and Repair, has reported the theft of approximately 75 carburetors for John Deere Tractors which were stolen from his Blue Hill, Nebraska, shop on Thursday, May 23, 2002. An eyewitness has reported that two men, one gray-haired and heavy-set, the other wearing glasses and a baseball cap, stopped to ask directions to Karl's establishment. They were seen leaving a convenience store driving a late- model metallic-beige GMC 3/4 ton extended cab diesel truck with short bed. The truck also had chrome or stainless steel tube-type steps in place of running boards. Between 12:00 and 12:30 pm the shop phone lines were cut, the lock was broken, and the carburetors were stolen. The majority taken were for later series tractors with the exception of a couple "3020" and "4020" and one Farmall Cub. Several were still in the boxes as sent in for repair, while others were in process or boxed and ready to be returned. It's possible that the person(s) involved may have been at the Waukee (Iowa) Swap Meet around 5 pm the day of the robbery. If you have purchased a carburetor from anyone selling from a truck matching the above description, please contact Deputy Troy Schmitz of the Webster County, Nebraska Sheriff's Department at 1 402 746-2722 or 1 402 746-3612. There is a reward of $1000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s) and the recovery of the carburetors.
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