Someone stole a Caterpillar Skid Steers track loader worth thousands of dollars from a Habitat for Humanity site in Franklin Township, causing a setback on work and a loss of a machine donated from Foley Inc. a few years ago.
Doreen Blanc Rockstrom, executive director of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, said she was flabbergasted by how people could steal “from a charitable organization whose goal is to lend out a hand and help families in need with decent housing.”
On July 8, the construction manager and a few of RVHFH’s volunteers were working at the property, clearing trees and preparing it to break ground on Thursday, July 16.
On Thursday, July 9, the building crew arrived on site to continue clearing out the property. To their shock, the Caterpillar Skid Steers vehicle, with front-end bucket, was missing.
The machine that weighs more than 7,000 pounds. Crew members believe that the machinery was driven down the street, and then towed to a different location.
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity will securing the new site so that no more of their tools and material will be at risk.
The group is asking anyone near the Somerset, Franklin Township, area who has seen such equipment on a property that seems oddly placed, or if anyone has any information to contact the Franklin Township Police department .
