Stolen 'Habitat for Humanity' tools to be replaced

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - Update

Last week the story was about the crime wherein thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of tools from the Round Rock Habitat For Humanity after breaking into a trailer. 

On Wednesday, KXAN learned that Habitat has received more than $3,200 in donations to help replace the tools.

Original story

Thieves stole thousands of dollars in tools and equipment from a Round Rock Habitat for Humanity job site but that won't stop volunteers from finishing the job ahead.

Rick MacIver, the site's construction coordinator, has been working for weeks trying to stay on schedule. He's proud of his work especially when it helps families needing a new home. But his spirits were dashed a bit when thieves broke into his Habitat tool trailer.

"They dismantled it and split it all the way up the sides so that they could fold this whole thing back," said MacIver, "so they could get at the hardware on this latch."

The home, one of six this year under the Habitat for Humanity umbrella in Williamson County is due to finish just after Christmas. More than $5,000 worth of tools were stolen, the items needed to do the job.

"They stole [from] nail guns to some saws," said Debbie Hoffman, executive director of Williamson County Habitat for Humanity, "some very high dollar items that we have to replace now."

But in spite of the setback, crews say they've managed to keep on schedule, although future homeowner Crystal Young is a little baffled by the theft.

"It's sad that somebody will do that,"  said Young, "especially for Habitat for Humanity, a Christian organization."

It's a damper in the holiday spirit again. They were victims to a similar theft two years ago. But frustrating as it may be, they say their mission is too important to get discouraged, but they wish it wouldn't happen.

"If you're out there and you've got our tools," said MacIver, "we'd appreciate it if you bring them back, we really would."

Habitat for Humanity was covered by insurance but their deductible cost was about the same as the cost of replacing the tools.