Just days before Christmas, the owner of a brand-new home in northwest Cape Coral is facing an unexpected and costly setback before he can even move in.Anthony Boulware says thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment was stolen from his newly built home off Northwest 34th Street — equipment he says is essential to making the house livable.“I am 61 years old, and it’s paycheck to paycheck or Social Security check, and then something like this happens,” Boulware said.Sometime in recent days, thieves stripped the side of Boulware’s home of its reverse osmosis water purification system. What once included five pumps, filters and large tanks was reduced to an empty storage shelf. Boulware estimates the loss at about $13,000.“It’s just disheartening,” he said.The reverse osmosis system, which stands six to seven feet tall and holds a large amount of water, is required to provide clean water to the home. Boulware believes the suspects dumped the water before making off with the equipment.“It was a big tank full of water,” he said.The theft didn’t stop there. Boulware says there are also signs someone tried to break into the home.“There’s two of them that you’re trying to pry up to see. See, they tried to break in the house,” he explained, pointing to damaged areas near the entry.The theft was discovered about two days ago by the home’s builder, Scott Ryan, after workers noticed there was no running water inside.Ryan, who builds homes across the Gulf Coast, says construction site theft has become increasingly common in northwest Cape Coral.“There’s not a lot of houses being built around here, so it’s a very opportunistic place to steal from,” Ryan said.Cape Coral Police recommend builders and homeowners secure materials, install temporary fencing or locks, and coordinate regular site checks to prevent theft. In the meantime, Boulware says he’s considering installing security cameras, even before moving in.“We just got to live our lives and hopefully these people can have a heart,” Boulware said. “Just have a heart, man, and just let people live.”Ryan says he’d also like to see an increased police presence in the area as new home construction continues to grow.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Just days before Christmas, the owner of a brand-new home in northwest Cape Coral is facing an unexpected and costly setback before he can even move in.
Anthony Boulware says thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment was stolen from his newly built home off Northwest 34th Street — equipment he says is essential to making the house livable.
“I am 61 years old, and it’s paycheck to paycheck or Social Security check, and then something like this happens,” Boulware said.
Sometime in recent days, thieves stripped the side of Boulware’s home of its reverse osmosis water purification system. What once included five pumps, filters and large tanks was reduced to an empty storage shelf. Boulware estimates the loss at about $13,000.
“It’s just disheartening,” he said.
The reverse osmosis system, which stands six to seven feet tall and holds a large amount of water, is required to provide clean water to the home. Boulware believes the suspects dumped the water before making off with the equipment.
“It was a big tank full of water,” he said.
The theft didn’t stop there. Boulware says there are also signs someone tried to break into the home.
“There’s two of them that you’re trying to pry up to see. See, they tried to break in the house,” he explained, pointing to damaged areas near the entry.
The theft was discovered about two days ago by the home’s builder, Scott Ryan, after workers noticed there was no running water inside.
Ryan, who builds homes across the Gulf Coast, says construction site theft has become increasingly common in northwest Cape Coral.
“There’s not a lot of houses being built around here, so it’s a very opportunistic place to steal from,” Ryan said.
Cape Coral Police recommend builders and homeowners secure materials, install temporary fencing or locks, and coordinate regular site checks to prevent theft. In the meantime, Boulware says he’s considering installing security cameras, even before moving in.
“We just got to live our lives and hopefully these people can have a heart,” Boulware said. “Just have a heart, man, and just let people live.”
Ryan says he’d also like to see an increased police presence in the area as new home construction continues to grow.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.