Job Site Thefts Increase

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Home builders in one area of town are reporting an increase in thefts on their jobs' sites.

Damon Thomas, a builder in the Shirelea Village housing addition located near Highway 92 and NW 5th Street, says Tuesday night he had more than 120 packages of 40 pack shingles stolen from on top of a roof.

"I have had thefts on job sites before but I have never seen anything like this," Thomas said.

In addition to packages of shingles being stolen, some other home builders in the new housing addition reported sheeting and windows were stolen too.

According to Oklahoma City police, they are not the least bit surprised if there are a rise in thefts in the new addition. Master Sergeant Gary Knight, a spokesperson for the department, said "materials stolen from building sites is nothing new."

Oklahoma City police also add that the thefts are so common, some home builders will even increase the price of the home to offset the cost in loss of materials.

Thomas estimates that in the past two weeks builders in the Shirelea Village combined have had $50,000 to $100,000 in materials stolen.

Learn more about the thefts tonight, on NEWS 9 at 5 and 6 p.m.