Noelle and Chris Heyink had barely moved into the neighbourhood when thieves stole everything they could from them – except their positive outlook.
The Heyinks’ had purchased a home and business property on Industrial Road in Thamesville only three weeks before and had recently moved equipment for their H.E. Construction firm there when they arrived Sunday morning to find almost everything had been stolen.
“We had been there Saturday until 2 p.m. and when we showed up Sunday morning, (husband) Chris said, ‘our trucks are gone’. I thought he was kidding and then he looked again and the four-wheeler was gone. We’re so new to town that I had to run out to the road to tell police our 9-1-1 number.”
Including two trucks, a lawnmower, air compressor and tools, the loss is estimated at $120,000.
“Right now we’re trying to figure out what will and won’t be covered by insurance,” she said.
The three-year-old firm employs 10 people and they’ve been scrambling to piece together enough tools and transportation to complete a major job in Sarnia.
“Blueline Rentals has been amazing,” she said. “We’re managing to get by but it’s really hard.”
Noelle said the move to Thamesville was a dream for the couple.
“Chris has worked so hard to get established, taking any job he could and now we were finally going to have a place big enough to store our equipment and grow. I cried a lot and for a day or so I lost my faith in people. They even stole Chris’ boots – what kind of person steals a man’s work boots?”
Noelle said thieves stole two work trucks and even stripped parts from a “project” truck one of their friends had stored there.
“Losing the trucks hit me,” she said. “I shopped really hard to find those – we couldn’t afford to buy new.”
She said support from their immediate family, those she and Chris work with and the community helped bring her back.
“Our guys are like our family,” she said. “When Chris and I got married last year, everyone came to the wedding.”
She says workers are using their own vehicles and tools in some cases.
“With support like this there was no way we could let them down,” she said. “We held a pizza party for the guys and Double D in Florence gave us a huge discount when they found out. People have been really supportive.”
She said the thieves were methodical and even took time to empty lumber out of a truck so they could carry away more stolen goods.
“They weren’t worried about being caught,” she said. “I think they’ve been watching us for a while and knew that since we were so new to the area no one would know who should or shouldn’t be here.”
Nicolle said despite the setback, she has faith that things will get back on track.
“We built this business before and we can do it again.”
She says she wants the thieves caught not just for the sake of her business, but also in order to stop them victimizing others.
“We’re pretty sure we aren’t the first, but we’d like to be the last people they do this to,” she said.
Anyone having information about the theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
