Valuable surveying equipment stolen from Canadian charity project

02/09/2010

Thieves have derailed the Canadian work of an international housing charity by successfully targeting the precision surveying equipment being used in one of their current projects.

Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity – which builds affordable housing and shelter for people in need – were devastated to find thousands of dollars worth of equipment had been stolen from a site in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Two laser levels were among the thieves' precious haul, which also saw them make off with a number of valuable industrial saws. It has meant the build – a house for a young, single mother and her two sons – has had to be significantly delayed.

Habitat marketing and volunteer co-ordinator, Justin Hughes, said the theft was having a knock-on effect on so many people, including the people who will benefit from the project they have next in line.

"We need those tools to do what we do," he said. "This build needs to be finished and we're gearing up for our last build of the year in nearby Kensington and we're unable to do the service without the tools."

He said it was an ugly incident that had marred an otherwise extremely gratifying building process. He continued, "(The build) has been a very positive experience, so this is tough. It's just one dark side to the build but we're hoping something positive will come out of this."