WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida landscaper is reeling after, he and his family said, thieves targeted his property for the third time in two months, stealing thousands of dollars in lawn equipment.
The family of 63-year-old Ernesto Thomas said someone stole his equipment in two unrelated cases, with the most recent incident taking place Monday afternoon.
Surveillance video captured the subject putting lawn equipment into a car at a home along the 5300 block of Southwest 64th Avenue, in Southwest Miami-Dade, at around 12:30 p.m.
Thomas’ family said he was working at that residence at the time of the burglary.
According to the victim, another crook stole lawn equipment from his trailer two months ago.
“This is the second time they rob me,” Thomas said through a translator.
But the string of bad luck does not stop there. During the time of the first burglary, Thomas said, someone broke into his home and took off with cash, jewelry, credit cards and more landscaping equipment.
Thomas, who has been a landscaper for the past 10 years, said that what makes this situation worse is that he had returned to work last Monday for the first time since undergoing surgery.
For Thomas to be targeted by thieves so many times, his family said, it has put him in a difficult financial position.
“He’s a really hard worker, and it pains me that he tries to be self-sufficient, and people are very opportunistic and just try to steal his money and his things,” said Mireya Thomas, his daughter.
Thomas said he has reported each burglary to the authorities.
“This is just disheartening. He gets up every morning, goes to work really hard, and for what?” said Mireya.
Monday night, a Miami-Dade Police officer took down his report at his son-in-law’s West Miami-Dade home.
“I think that the people that do it, it’s some petty stuff, they get $100, $200 for it, and it’s his livelihood,” said Mireya.
If you have any information on these burglaries, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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