Deaf Crew Loses $4,000 in Tools to Thieves, Community Steps In
Residents and strangers rallied to replace equipment stolen from Neverless Construction during a storm repair job in Los Angeles.
By Yasmin Duda ·
Michael Litberg and his deaf construction crew lost thousands of dollars in essential equipment to theft while working on a roof in Los Angeles. The incident occurred recently during a storm, forcing the team to pause their repair work for a client named Jan Menapace. The crew was inside the home taking a break from the rain when the theft took place.
Menapace first noticed the confusion when her workers returned from the roof. She observed the men signing urgently to one another, appearing to search for missing items. When she asked what was wrong, the crew informed her that their tools had vanished. Litberg described the loss as a direct hit to their livelihood, stating, “I felt taken, deprived. This is our livelihood.”
Security footage from the home revealed two individuals pulling up to the workspace and grabbing the crew’s gear. The thieves made off with batteries, blades, a blower, and several power tools. The crew had been in the middle of a roof repair when the break occurred, leaving them without the hardware needed to finish the job.
Menapace launched an online fundraiser to help the crew recover. The campaign resonated quickly with local residents who wanted to support the workers. Neighbors began bringing lunch to the site. Others called to offer to meet at hardware stores to buy new tools directly for the team.
The community response allowed the crew to restock their inventory rapidly. Litberg said the group is grateful for the support. He noted that the experience reinforced the value of community ties for his team. The crew is now back on the job with their equipment replaced.
Litberg said he hopes to give back by training other deaf workers who need employment. He plans to use the momentum from the recent incident to expand his outreach. The crew continues to work on projects in the Los Angeles area.
The theft highlighted the vulnerability of mobile crews when working on residential sites. Menapace’s initial reaction to the missing tools led to the discovery of the break-in. Her decision to review the security cameras provided the evidence of the two thieves. The community’s financial support covered the cost of the stolen items.
Source: KNBC
