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EASTVALE, Calif. () — A rash of thefts targeting Southern California gardeners and landscapers is gaining the attention of local law enforcement. Very expensive equipment is being stolen off work trucks in just moments, leaving victims without machinery vital to their work.
Videos show thieves preying on two different people who believe they were victims of the very same crime, by what appears to be the very same perpetrators — more than 60 miles apart.
Video from an Eastvale home shows two hooded, masked thieves lifting a large piece of lawn equipment into the back of a white SUV before driving away.
The equipment belonged to a neighborhood landscaper, according to resident Sylvia Renteria.
“He went to do a home, and when he did the front, while he was at the back of the house, he said they stole it — went to the front and saw it was gone,” Renteria said.
The theft happened on Tuesday, Oct. 20, around 11 a.m. outside an Eastvale home in the Jurupa Valley.
The thieves were long gone by the time deputies arrived. Renteria said the stolen lawnmower was new and had cost the landscaper nearly $3,000.
“He had purchased this lawnmower that had cost him like almost $3,000. It was very high tech, and he was so proud of himself because it helped him a lot,” she said.
When homeowners reviewed their security footage, Renteria said the vehicle appeared similar to one seen on video from another equipment theft in Brentwood.
SEE ALSO: Thieves steal $2,500 lawnmower within seconds in Brentwood
A Brentwood landscaper is warning others after thieves were caught on camera stealing a $2,500 lawn mower from his crew. The equipment held special meaning because it was one of his late father’s final purchases.
“There was an 7 post, and it was talking about the equipment of a gardener that was stolen. It looked like the same vehicle that the video he showed us… white Suburban or big SUV,” she said.
The Brentwood theft happened on Oct. 15 while a landscaper was working at a home. 7 had just reported on the theft and shared video on Thursday.
The landscaper, who asked not to be identified, said the thieves moved quickly.
“These thieves are quick. They hop in a couple minutes, a couple seconds actually,” he said.
Security video from multiple angles shows a coordinated theft involving two people.
“In the video, you can see they get out the car. One opens the hatch, and one has the bolt cutters. They cut it, and then they open the truck, and after that they just load it, and that’s it,” the landscaper said. “Mine happened at 11:50 a.m., and there was another theft right around 11, so it seemed like they were scoping out different neighborhoods.”
Both victims are now left without the vital equipment to do their job, and are scraping by with the aged machinery they have left.
“Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully we had just fixed one of our older machines. That’s the one I have with me now,” the Brentwood landscaper said.
The Eastvale landscaper asked not to be identified because of safety and immigration concerns. Speaking by phone in Spanish, he described the effect the theft has had on his livelihood and family.
“This is how I make a living. I am the pillar of the family. I have a son in college. I went all day without eating, thinking why someone would take my tools,” he said.
The man told 7 he has been working on his own for over 10 years, and he has no idea how long it will take him to save up to be able to replace the equipment.
Meanwhile, the Brentwood victim says he has been in close contact with Santa Monica police, who believe they may have a person of interest. They are asking anyone who may have seen the white SUV to contact law enforcement.
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