Ten years ago, construction thieves caused home builders across the country to lose $4 billion a day. However, the situation has worsened over the years, and now builders are losing a staggering $10 billion each day due to theft in the construction industry.
In the greater Houston area, the prevalence of this issue is alarming.
“They’ve created kind of a subculture sub economy where they buy and sell stolen construction materials,” said Mark Stephens.
Stephens, a retired Houston Police Detective, has transitioned into a private investigator role where he focuses on addressing construction theft for new home builders.
About two years ago, he started investigating Venezuelan national Lott Isiah Rivera.
“He was targeting tankless water heaters, because he drives a Honda,” Stephens said. “He doesn’t have a truck to put them in, so he could fit five or six tankless water heaters in his car.”
Construction sites tend to be bustling with activity, making it challenging to distinguish between authorized personnel and unauthorized individuals.
“He would blend in,” said Stephens. “You would see him in the garage looking around, and then he would run it out to his car real quick and load up.”
According to the private investigator, Rivera is suspected of stealing numerous tankless water heaters across multiple counties.
Stephens had a hunch that Rivera would make an appearance in Precinct 5, prompting him to inform two sergeants from the constables’ office.
“Sure enough he hit one night. They walked up, and he’s got two or three water heaters in the trunk of his car,” Stephens said. “I think he was working on another one when they walked up on him.”
Rivera is facing charges of felony theft.
According to reports, he is believed to be residing in the country without legal documentation, and ICE has placed a hold on him.