Thieves dismantle heavy machinery and dig up floors in major Cullybackey raid as owner warns rural businesses

Stolen: JCB 530-70 telehandler

Sunday 25 October 2026

A property owner near Ballymena has described the extraordinary lengths thieves went to during a major raid on an industrial premises in Cullybackey, leaving estimated losses and damage exceeding £100,000 and a facility intended for business expansion inoperable.

The thieves stole a JCB 530-70 telehandler, industrial machinery, welding equipment and substantial quantities of copper from the Granagh Road property, which was undergoing refurbishment as part of a local agricultural manufacturer's expansion plans.

The owner believes the theft may have occurred between Friday 9 and Sunday 11 October, although the exact timing remains unconfirmed.

The scale of the destruction has prompted an appeal to farmers, machinery dealers, haulage operators and rural businesses to remain vigilant, particularly for suspicious machinery sales or vehicles transporting heavy equipment.

Heavy equipment dismantled to recover copper

According to information provided by the owner, those responsible cut locks on several gates to gain access to the secured premises before forcing their way into buildings. They are believed to have rammed security doors while removing machinery.

Once inside, the intruders appear to have systematically dismantled valuable equipment to recover copper, causing extensive damage to electrical installations, floors and building structures.

In one instance, a transformer weighing approximately 500kg was cut open and dismantled to remove its copper components.

Other electrical equipment was stripped, while floors and underground ducts were dug up to recover valuable materials.

Industrial welding equipment manufactured by Panasonic, Kemper, Fronius and Yaskawa was also stolen, including four distinctive red Fronius welding machines.

The owner believes the extent of the dismantling indicates those responsible may have spent considerable time inside the premises.

JCB telehandler stolen and second machine damaged

Among the most significant losses was a JCB 530-70 telehandler, valued by the owner at approximately £15,000.

The stolen machine is an older model, identifiable by its battery being positioned at the doorstep.

The owner believes those responsible came equipped with a compatible key to operate the telehandler. Evidence found at the scene also suggests a 12V caravan battery was used in attempts to start machinery.

A second excavator suffered serious electrical damage during what appears to have been an unsuccessful attempt to start it.

Other evidence reportedly left behind suggests the thieves may have brought additional equipment to help them gain access to the machinery.

The owner believes a lorry fitted with loading ramps may have been used to remove the telehandler, which is described as weighing approximately eight tonnes.

The scale of the operation has raised concerns that the theft involved several individuals and considerable preparation, rather than being an opportunistic incident.

Owner describes extraordinary destruction

Speaking about the impact of the raid, the property owner said:

“What I can’t believe is the lengths they’ve gone to just to get at all the copper. They’ve dismantled heavy equipment, damaged machinery and the building, and caused an extraordinary amount of destruction.

“Looking at everything that’s happened, it looks like a considerable amount of time and effort went into it.

“There is evidence suggesting they may have brought their own equipment to help access the machinery. The level of preparation and destruction is quite shocking.

“We estimate the total losses and damage are in excess of £100,000. It’s not just the value of what’s been stolen. It’s the equipment that has been destroyed, the cost of repairs and the disruption to the planned work that follows.

“We want to warn other property owners, farmers and rural businesses to be particularly vigilant. If people are prepared to go to these lengths, it’s extremely concerning, especially with copper scrap value at an all-time high, which is now at £9,500 a tonne.”

The estimated £100,000-plus impact includes stolen property, damaged machinery, building repairs and disruption to the manufacturer's planned expansion work.

Appeal for CCTV and sightings of heavy transport vehicles

The owner believes the stolen telehandler may already have been transported out of the Ballymena area, potentially through a port or across the border into the Republic of Ireland. However, its whereabouts have not been established.

Anyone with road-facing CCTV, dashcam recordings, business security footage or farmyard cameras in Cullybackey, Ballymena and surrounding villages is being asked to examine recordings from 9 October onwards.

Of particular interest are sightings of a lorry or low-loader carrying a yellow JCB 530-70 telehandler, especially an older model with its battery positioned at the doorstep.

Farmers, agricultural contractors, machinery dealers and haulage businesses are also being asked to watch for suspicious sales or equipment being offered at unusually low prices.

Photographs accompanying the appeal show the stolen telehandler to assist with identification.

£4,000 reward for information

A reward of £4,000 is being proposed for information leading to both the recovery of the stolen machinery and a conviction.

Anyone who may have relevant information, sightings or footage can contact the owner directly by telephone or WhatsApp on +44 7436 284 168.

Information can also be passed to police using the following contact details:

• Northern Ireland: 101

• Republic of Ireland or elsewhere in the UK: 0044 2890 650222

• PSNI witness appeal form: https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals⁠

The appeal information supplied by the owner quotes police reference 323 of 20/10/26. An earlier PSNI statement concerning the Granagh Road theft gave reference 323 of 21/10/26.

Warning to farmers and rural businesses

The incident has highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of machinery and metal theft for rural businesses, particularly where essential equipment and buildings are damaged in the process.

For the Cullybackey property owner, the consequences extend beyond the value of the stolen machinery and copper, with refurbishment work disrupted and substantial repairs now required before the facility can be brought into use.

Members of the public are urged not to approach anyone suspected of involvement. Anyone with potentially useful information should preserve relevant footage or evidence and pass it to police or the contact provided in the appeal.