Tools taken from truck of valley veteran
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A Valley man who served in Afghanistan woke up to an empty truck bed where he says he kept thousands of dollars worth of tools. The Peoria man just moved into his home a few months ago and says those tools are vital to his day-to-day work.
Michael Beloit spent 12 months on tour in Afghanistan and is now renovating his family's Peoria home. He says he was shocked to find his tools missing from the back of his truck bed Monday, and hopes the community can help locate and return them.
"The boxes were set there in the corner tied up, they were all strapped up, and the ladders were sitting here," said Michael Beloit.
Just days ago, Beloit's truck was full of tools, but he says when he walked outside Monday morning all had disappeared except a few strewn on his neighborhood street.
"It's what I use to survive and keep the family going, and it's what we use to do things at home for ourselves, or what we do for other people, and people at church, or neighbors, and the community," said Beloit.
Michael served in Afghanistan 5-years-ago and said he's unable to work. His tools are vital to renovating and repairing his new home.
"It's a pretty hard thing to swallow right now, considering the fact of what I've done for my country without asking for anything in return," he said.
Michael says his family had a trailer stolen from the yard a few months ago and now his three tool boxes with about $2,000 worth of equipment inside, including hand tools, drill tips, and specialty electrical tools.
"It's sad that there are people out their preying on other people. Give it back, if you know someone who took it persuade them to return it, or call the City of Peoria," said Beloit.
Michael says two of the tool boxes he lost were Husky and Dewalt large enough to hold shelving. He says the 3rd box is a special box called a "Pelican Box" that is about 1.5 feet across, made of heavy plastic material. If you've seen these boxes or the tools he described, please contact Peoria Police.