A pair of cousins say thieves made off with over $25,000 worth of equipment used to fix blighted Detroit homes at no cost.
Mike Gokenbach and Troy Lucassian work for Handyman Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income families with free home maintenance. "We'd fix bathtubs and leaking sinks and fallen down porches," says Gokenbach. "It was just so rewarding."
But on Aug. 7, the cousins say they parked their van outside Handyman headquarters on the 15000 block of Mack Avenue around 6 a.m. and went for breakfast. When they came back, the van and all the tools inside were gone. "We came back and the van was gone," said Lucassian.
Five days later, the van was found less two miles away, completely stripped.
"You guys stuck a dagger in our heart," says Gokenbach to the thieves. "And not just us and what we do, but this whole community. Your neighbors, your grandmothers, you did it to everybody."
Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or the Detroit police.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:32:46 GMT
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 11:43 PM EDT2013-06-14 03:43:47 GMT
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
