Habitat for Humanity director wishes ‘hot place in hell’ for thieves who steal from charities

A recent theft has drawn a lot of ire as the thieves’ target was a charity building homes for families in Pierce County.

“I hope there is an especially hot place in hell for people who steal from charities,” said Maureen Fife, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Pierce County.

Fife told KIRO Radio’s Ron & Don Show that the thieves hit a site where the charity is building a 30-home neighborhood. She said one of the homes they’re building was vandalized and the thieves also broke into one of their work trailers and stole a truck.

“They ripped the video cameras off of the side of the trailer then broke into the trailer, stole the video recording equipment so there would be no video of them, took keys to our construction pickup truck that was out there and stole that as well,” Fife said.

A very special piece of equipment commemorating one of their long-time volunteers was also taken.

“The most heartbreaking thing for me was that they stole a tile saw that had been donated by family members whose daughter was a very active volunteer with us,” Fife said. “[She] lost her battle with cancer, so they in her name donated this tile saw and it was inscribed, ‘In memory of Liz.’ It just was probably the most devastating loss of all the equipment and everything else.”

Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said authorities are looking for the suspects and the stolen goods.

“What you need to be looking for is somebody that has tile saws, has commercial equipment, high-end construction equipment that shouldn’t have it,” said Troyer. “That’s your big giveaway. People that you know shouldn’t have that who are trying to sell it are the people that we want to hear about.”

Troyer said anyone with information should call 1-800-222-TIPS.

Update: Jackie Martinez and Blake Adsero of Master Wholesale in Georgetown are partnering with DeWalt to provide Habitat for Humanity a replacement tile saw.