A Chatham business owner is looking for the public's help to recover a large diesel generator and some other tools that were stolen from him.
He's hoping to find the equipment quickly too, because he knows if it isn't found soon, it could be leaving the city in someone else's hands.
Dan Crawford tells BlackburnNews.com a home he is renovating on Adelaide St. S was targeted by a gang of thieves earlier this week.
"I can't say it hasn't happened to me before -- it's happened a number of times," says Crawford. "This one is really recent, so we're hoping we can get that equipment back before it leaves town... they'll have it all set up for going to a different city, no doubt."
127 Adelaide St. S. in Chatham. January 19, 2016. (Photo by Matt Weverink)
Crawford says the 3,500-watt diesel generator and the aluminum brake that were stolen were both nearly brand new and have a combined value of about $5,000.
In an effort to get his equipment back, Crawford is offering a cash reward for its return.
"I would offer $200 for somebody, no questions asked, to find it and call me and get my parts back. Mainly the equipment -- the big pieces," says Crawford.
He believes up to four people may have been involved in the break-in, adding that one suspect was arrested by Chatham-Kent police early Wednesday morning after a neighbour called in a suspicious noise at the building.
When BlackburnNews.com spoke to police Thursday morning, a police spokesperson confirmed officers arrested a 25-year-old man shortly after 6:30am Wednesday, in a residence under construction on Adelaide St. S in Chatham.
Police say when officers arrived at the residence, they noticed that the door and the door frame were both damaged.
Once inside, police found a man hiding upstairs and arrested him. He's accused of cutting some wiring in the ceiling to an electrical box.
However, the police spokesperson couldn't confirm that officers were looking for more suspects in connection with a break-in at that residence.
Anyone with information should call police or Crime Stoppers.
According to Crawford, break-ins like this are happening far too often in Chatham. He believes most of the suspects are looking for quick cash to buy drugs.
"It's a very common problem right across the city of Chatham -- not only do the police say that, but all my contacts say that," says Crawford. "It's really bad -- the drug, I guess, is taking over."
Crawford's words echo those of police Chief Gary Conn.
Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn. May 11, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Design39Media)
In November 2016, Conn told BlackburnNews.com that although Chatham-Kent has seen a slight decrease in crime rates recently, officers are still seeing a lot of break and enters.
At that time, Conn said the criminals are "looking for quick cash" and "crimes of opportunity."
As for what people can do to protect themselves against similar break-ins and thefts, Crawford has one simple piece of advice: make sure you bolt our equipment down.
"They'll still use cutters, though, they'll cut right through chains, whatever you've got -- when they want it, they want it," says Crawford. "I don't think there are too many ways you can stop it."
Crawford says from his perspective, local police officers do a great job, but there are just too many ways for criminals to get out of being caught or at least turned loose after they are caught.
"People are going to have to get involved in this city and other cities to see what we can do about stopping the problem," says Crawford.