Robotic Mower Worth $2,600 Stolen From Yard: How to Protect Yours

A Robotic Mower Theft in Pennsylvania Raises Security Questions

A robotic mower that stopped working near a mailbox has become the subject of a Pennsylvania State Police investigation. According to FOX56, a robot lawn mower and its attachments, valued at $2,633.10, were stolen from a home along Main Road in Ross Township, Luzerne County. The case is a useful reminder that an autonomous lawn mower left outdoors is a valuable piece of equipment.

What Police Say Happened

Pennsylvania State Police say the theft occurred sometime between 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 and 1 a.m. on Nov. 1. FOX56 reports the victim, a 39-year-old man, told troopers the mower had stopped working near the home's mailbox. When he went back, the unit was still there. Later, however, surveillance footage showed it was gone.

Troopers canvassed the neighborhood and reviewed the video that was available, but according to the report they have not developed any suspect information. The mower and its attachments were valued at $2,633.10 in total, per the police account relayed by FOX56.

Could Tracking Technology Help Recover It?

One detail stands out for anyone interested in smart mowing. FOX56 reports that troopers are checking whether the mower can be located through its manufacturer's tracking technology. The report does not say which brand or model was taken, what kind of tracking the unit has, or whether it was active at the time. Those details are not disclosed in the article.

The article's image is credited to Navimow, but the report does not state that the stolen mower was a Navimow product, so no conclusion should be drawn about the make or model involved.

Key Points From the Report

Location: a home along Main Road in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Value: $2,633.10 for the robotic mower and attachments
Timeframe: between 3 p.m. Oct. 31 and 1 a.m. Nov. 1
Circumstances: the mower stopped working near the mailbox and was later found missing on surveillance footage
Investigation: neighborhood canvass and video review completed; no suspect information yet; tracking technology being checked
Contact: anyone with information is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at the Shickshinny barracks

What This Means for You

This report is a single local incident, and it does not establish a broader trend. Still, it offers some practical takeaways for owners of a robotic mower:

A stalled mower is a vulnerable mower. In this case, the unit had stopped working while sitting near the mailbox, a spot outside the main yard. If your mower halts unexpectedly, retrieving it promptly may be worth the effort.
Cameras can help. The surveillance footage confirmed when the mower disappeared, though police have not yet identified a suspect from it.
Tracking features may matter. Police are exploring manufacturer tracking as a recovery option. If your mower offers location features, check your manufacturer's documentation to see what is available and how it works.
Know your details. Keeping your serial number and purchase records handy can make a police report more complete.

Professional landscapers running fleets of robotic units may also want to consider how and where equipment is stored or staged, though the FOX56 report does not offer specific security guidance.

FAQ

Where and when was the robotic mower stolen?

According to FOX56, the mower was taken from a home along Main Road in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, sometime between 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 and 1 a.m. on Nov. 1.

How much was the stolen mower worth?

FOX56 reports that the robotic lawn mower and attachments were valued at $2,633.10.

Can a stolen robotic mower be tracked?

The report says Pennsylvania State Police are checking whether the mower can be located through its manufacturer's tracking technology. It does not say what that technology is or whether it will succeed. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at the Shickshinny barracks.