OAK CREEK (WITI) -- An Oak Creek business owner is hoping for help after a thief hits his store...and it's not the first time. It's not only the act that stunned the owner, but just how brazen the thief was about it.
Owner of Hanna Trailer Supply, Paul Downs, says having a $2,700 trailer stolen is bad enough. But he's trying to wrap his mind around how the suspect could be so brash to steal that trailer at six in the morning on Wednesday, March 4th.
"Hooks to the trailer and then just pulls right out with it. Couldn't believe that it happened shortly before we opened, that it was that close because a lot of times employees show up early for work," said Downs.
It's a familiar sense of frustration for Downs, thieves stole 3 trailers from his lot on February 9th.
"It seems it might be somewhat related. They were going after the same type of trailer," said Downs.
Downs says the thieves seem to know what they're doing, having targeted 6x12, single-axle trailers -- they're popular and easier to get away with stealing.
You might look at a double-axle trailer with the two wheels and think it's the same as the single-axle ones that were stolen, but there double-axle trailers require a license plate which makes it a lot less valuable to thieves.
Oak Creek Police confirm they are investigating both thefts. Downs says between the two heists, the thieves stole more than $10,000 worth of trailers.
"It's a pretty good hit to the bottom line. We're coming out of our slow season right now," said Downs.
The business was not able to record the first theft but on Wednesday, still surveillance images show a man walk to the gate, break the locks, and leave with a trailer hooked up to a pick-up.
This time, Downs sees the person who stole from him.
"Just makes me wanna catch 'em that much more," said Downs.
Oak Creek Police say they do believe the two thefts are connected.
Downs says he knows first-hand this is happening elsewhere -- after the first theft, he was stopped in Franklin hauling one of his own trailers. Police there were also trying to find a stolen trailer.