Trailer & Tools Stolen From Business Owner Who Employs Vets
COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 NEWS) - A veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars now helps other vets get jobs in the construction field. But that task is now a lot harder; after he says someone stole the trailer he had filled with thousands of dollars in tools.
Scott LaMarca says the theft three weeks ago was more than just the taking of property. Not only does it take him longer to do his job, he says the loss has really his efforts to help military vets.
"My business is real important to me," he said. "This is my therapy."
LaMarca suffered a traumatic brain injury and now has PTSD. He says being the owner of Texas Wounded Veterans Builders and Contractors, Inc. gives him the chance to help other veterans.
"This is what helps me through my medical disability, from my service to my country."
After working hard all day, LaMarca said he would park his trailer at his apartment complex in Plano, in the 10000 block of Independence Parkway.
"Our trailer had $30,000 in tools in it," LaMarca said as he attempted to perform a fairly simple task. "See this tool right here, if I had my other tools, I could do this a lot faster."
It needs to be explained that LaMarca does more than just give jobs to veterans. He equips them with everything he can to make sure they are successful. "It'd be nice to have these tools back, because as we hire veterans, this is what we give those veterans to use."
Realtor Justin Miller was inspired by LaMarca and hired him to build a new fence in his backyard. Entering into the contract is something he took personally.
"Honestly, there were other bids that were cheaper, but I wanted to use Scott because I wanted to really support our troops instead of just 'saying' I support the troops."
Thinking about whoever took the trailer, LaMarca said, "It's just a terrible thing to know that somebody would be that low to just take something that we worked very hard to try to build."
Plano police are investigating and have put out flyers describing the red-colored, enclosed utility trailer. Investigators say the thief/thieves broke the trailer hitch lock, disconnected it from LaMarca's truck and hooked it up to another vehicle.
Miller is also doing what he can to help. He set up a GoFundMe account to try and help LaMarca replace his tools and trailer. On the fundraising page Miller says that making a donation will, "directly helping our troops by giving them the opportunity to work and provide for their families."
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