Lubbock Police are investigating a reported burglary case after the owners of a local business said a thief stole construction tools.
Mike Haggard, a co-owner of Haggard Construction, said he noticed tools were missing from his parents’ home after he spent a week with his father, who was recovering from a heart attack.
“We noticed that some door locks had been locked that normally aren’t and some others were unlocked, and I thought ‘oh no,'” Haggard said.
“On the back porch was a little handful of tools left at the house out of all the tools we had,” he said.
Haggard estimated the total value of the stolen tools was approximately $100,000.
Haggard said he set up a stakeout at home earlier this month, and waited for the thief to return.
“At approximately midnight, a gentlemen pulls around back like he owned the place. Walks right in the back door. Coming in to get last load of my tools, and here in TX we carry guns,” Haggard said.
He said he held the suspect, later identified as Stephen Tyler Taff, 22, at gunpoint while his mother called police.
Haggard said Taff admitted to the burglaries.
Lubbock Police records indicate Taff was booked into jail on a charge of Burglary of a Habitation, and was released on bond.
“When I don’t have them I’m just kind of like dead in the water,” Ann Haggard said of her missing tools. “I need them back. They pretty much put you out of business when they come and steal from you like that.”
Haggard said Taff likely sold many of the pieces of equipment online, and he does not anticipate seeing them again.
Mrs. Haggard advised that residents should monitor their neighborhoods closely, to avoid becoming victims of similar crimes.
“Be aware, and watch what’s going on in the neighborhood. If it happened to you, you’d be grateful that your neighbor called in,” she said.
The Haggards said they provided surveillance images to LPD, and hoped some of the stolen tools would be returned soon.
