A Denver-based wood floor pro woke up on his birthday last month to find his work van and all the tools inside it had been stolen, Denver7 reported. But a breakthrough in the case has led to the recovery of his van.
The Lakewood Police Department discovered the vehicle three miles from where it was stolen, according to the Denver7 report. Despite a few repairs needed, the vehicle, a 2007 Chevy Express, is still in good working condition. One tool was recovered in the van, but all of the hand tools are gone.
RELATED: How to Protect Your Wood Floor Vehicle Against a Break-In
The flooring pro, Clifford Motteler of Surfs Flooring, estimated the van and tools to be worth between $25,000–30,000. The theft was not covered by his liability insurance.
Motteler received an outpouring of support from the community following the theft, including a $2,000 gift certificate to replace stolen tools and $1,500 in accessories donated by Atlanta-based PDI Rentals, Repairs & Sales.
No arrests for the theft were made as of press time, and Motteler told Denver7 he hopes people will continue to keep an eye out or come forward with any new information to prevent a similar crime from occurring.
“Maybe there won’t be another hardworking man out there that will have to wake up one day and lose all his equipment,” he told Denver7.
RELATED: When Disaster Strikes: Dealing With Wood Floor Vehicle and Equipment Insurance Claims
