LEE COUNTY -- Three car break ins at the Travelodge in Fort Myers, the Days Inn and Holiday Inn in Bonita Springs took place early Thursday morning.
What makes these break ins particularly interesting is that all of them were targeted at out-of-town contractors here to help with Hurricane Irma clean up.
One contractor from CornerStone Tree Service in Alabama says he estimated about $15,000 to $16,000 of equipment, from chainsaws to ropes, stolen from his vehicle around 3:30 AM.
“There’s devastation everywhere. The people here need help. But they don’t need people robbing them also,” said burglary victim Bobby Harrleson. "They took something and they just drove it in [my key hole] here and they ringed out the key. I can’t even lock my door anymore.”
Despite the amount of equipment taken, the most valuable item Harrelson says was taken had nothing to do with tools but instead the assistance he needs to do the job.
"They stole my medicine I take for my chronic back pain. I just had back surgery," he explained. "It's going to make it tougher on me, but I'm still going to do my job."
Harrelson spent the day replacing equipment for the jobs coming up in the next couple days. He says Everglades Farm Equipment Store was kind enough to give him 10 to 15 percent off on his purchases because of his situation.
Even with the setback, Harrelson says the rest of his stay at the Travelodge has been enjoyable and remains determined to keep moving forward.
"Yeah they put me in a predicament having to replace everything but by no means will they stop us nor slow us down. We here to help people and stay that way until we’re ready to go home.”
