Firefighter's lawn equipment stolen for 2nd time

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (WSVN) -- A stolen truck was recovered but found badly damaged after thieves hit a South Florida home for a second time.

Bobby Goss and his family need his lawn equipment to help make ends meet, but now it's gone. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment was ripped off from outside his home while he was at work as a Broward County firefighter.

This all happened while his wife and children slept inside their Oakland Park home. "Well, this time here, the trailer was parked, backed up to the house," Goss said, "facing this way [to the street]. The truck was in front of it, maybe four or five feet apart."

It marks the second time in seven months that thieves have made off with Goss' lawn equipment. Among the items stolen was his pickup truck and a trailer with two $8,000 mowers, generators and weed whackers.

His wife, Aris Goss, never heard anything while she slept. "Did not hear a thing, which bugs me because I'm a very light sleeper, and I didn't hear a thing, so that's how I know they're good at what they do."

Though Goss is a firefighter, he still needs to supplement his income to make ends meet for his family of four. "We bought our house when the market was high," he explains, "and my fire department salary wouldn't even cover my mortgage ... so we work everyday, and I work seven days a week."

Back in April, the family was hit the first time and were able to replace all the stolen gear. This time, Goss said, he is out another $30,000.

The truck was recovered in North Miami with some of the interior equipment stripped away. The trailer, which as G 4orce emblazoned on the side, and the equipment inside of it still remain missing.

If you have spotted this trailer, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward. Goss is putting up $5,000 of his own money for the safe return of his equipment.

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