Media

Coalition Created To Address Thefts From New Homes Under Construction

Release Date: July 18, 2005

Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. says theft from new homes under construction is a growing problem in Shelby County. A new coalition made up of Sheriff’s Deputies, the Memphis Home Builders Association and prosecutors from Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons’ Office has been created to address the problem.

A news conference about the coalition will be held on Friday, July 22, 2005, at the Memphis Area Home Builders Association at 776 North Germantown Road at 10:30 a.m.

“As new neighborhoods are built throughout Shelby County, we’ve noted a trend in thefts from these construction sites. Our deputies have aggressively investigated these crimes. However, we soon realized that we needed to coordinate our efforts with the Memphis Area Home Builders and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office to search out and convict those responsible for these crimes,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Since January of this year, there have been 94 thefts from new homes under construction in various neighborhoods. Thefts have occurred in and near Lakeland, Arlington and several other neighborhoods throughout the unincorporated areas of Shelby County.

“Building contractors began reporting their concerns to us at the Memphis Area Home Builders Association. Sheriff Luttrell and District Attorney Gibbons quickly responded and have given us excellent cooperation in tracking down the thieves. The Contractors have now joined in the effort to keep Deputies informed of any suspicious activity near homes under construction,” said Mark Billingsley, President of the Memphis Area Home Builders Association.

Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office “A.L.E.R.T. Squad,” (Area Law Enforcement Retail Teams) that investigate retail thefts, along with Patrol Deputies, have many areas of Shelby County under constant surveillance watching for people who steal copper wiring, air conditioning equipment and appliances from homes under construction.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office is aggressively prosecuting those who are stealing construction supplies. “Construction site theft in Shelby County impacts new homebuyers by increasing costs and, ultimately, that hurts the growth of our entire community. The D.A.’s Office will work diligently with the Sheriff’s Office and the Home Builders Association to battle this problem. We want to send a clear message that these types of crimes will not be treated lightly in court,” said Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.

Just recently, three men plead guilty to stealing items from homes under construction.

Jeffrey Wilson	Jose Vera	Arvis Thoma

 

Jeffrey Wilson admitted he stole copper wiring this past March from a home under construction on Kerri Lane in East Shelby County. He was sentenced to a year’s probation and will have to pay a $250 fine.

Jose Vera pled guilty to stealing copper wiring in April from a home being built on Freiden Trail in the Buckingham Farms Subdivision in South-East Shelby County. Vera faces one year of probation and a $500 fine.

Arvis Thomas will be going to jail for two years for taking an air conditioning unit from a home under construction on Morning Hill in the Cordova area in April of this year.

 

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