Theft of Landscaping Equipment in Broad Daylight

DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Wayne business owner suffered a significant loss after a thief stole landscaping gear from his truck in plain sight on Wednesday.

Incident Captured on Security Footage

Surveillance video recorded the audacious theft, showing a man taking a pole saw and two leaf blowers from a Trees and Stumps.com vehicle parked on Oakman Boulevard.

Owner’s Reaction

Timothy Gilbert, founder and owner of Trees and Stumps.com, was at a client’s location when the theft occurred. “We were there for about 15 to 20 minutes. The chainsaws and chipper were running, and it was noisy. Suddenly, a woman was shouting that someone had taken our equipment,” Gilbert recounted.

Valuable Equipment Stolen

A former Detroit police officer who started his tree trimming and removal business two years ago, Gilbert estimates the stolen equipment’s value to be between $2,800 and $3,400.

Details of the Theft

The footage shows the thief retrieving a pole saw used for trimming from Gilbert’s truck and then accessing two leaf blowers from the passenger side of a nearby vehicle before making a quick escape.

Response and Investigation

After the incident, Gilbert tried to find the suspects and briefly saw them but they managed to flee again. He promptly contacted 911 and filed a police report. Law enforcement is actively investigating the case.

Reward for Information

Gilbert expressed his appreciation for the nearby resident whose security system recorded the theft. “Having the video is crucial as it helps identify the person who exited the vehicle,” Gilbert stated. In response to this incident, he plans to use enclosed trucks for improved protection of his equipment. Gilbert is offering a $1,000 cash reward for any information leading to the thief’s identification or the recovery of his stolen items.