Community donates tools to Habitat

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for the thieves who stole about $15,000 in tools from a South Florida organization that has helped many.

The construction of several Oakland Park homes, which are part of a Habitat for Humanity community production, has been put on hold. Last Wednesday, burglars broke into a container filled with finishing tools and took everything inside. "This was a huge hit to Habitat's resources during the time where we are trying to finish these last five homes," said Habitat for Humanity's executive director, Perry Ecton.

Volunteers discovered that the lock on a large container was broken, and the power tools inside, which Habitat uses to build homes across Broward, were stolen.  "We've estimated that there is probably $10,000 to $15,000 worth of tools that were taken last week: table saws, compressors, chop saws, a whole lot of power tools," Ecton said.

Richard Thomas, who lives in the neighborhood, said he saw a van but thought it was part of the Habitat crew. "Seen a white van parked out by the container, and I didn't know exactly what they were doing, because I thought it was part of the crew that was here," said Thomas.

Since the theft, the South Florida community has come forward to help Habitat. John Ray of Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale made sure the robbery would not occur again by installing the container with a new state-of-the-art lock. "We saw that on Channel 7 News last night," said Ray. "We have new technology to help combat this very issue, a wireless video technology, so now if anyone tires to break into this thing, a wireless video clip will be sent directly to our central station, and we will catch the bad guy and hopefully stop this from happening in the future."

People have stopped by the Habitat Restore, located off Broward Boulevard, to also donate some tools. "It gives me hope that it won't happen again," said Ecton. "It gives me comfort to know that there are companies and individuals out there that have come forward to support Habitat in the mission that Habitat is doing in the community."

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the thieves responsible or the tools that were stolen, which should have the Habitat logo on them, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

And if you can donate any tools to Habitat for Humanity, visit their website linked above.

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