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Debris truck stolen from storage lot
Deputies are searching for a debris removal truck worth more than $300K that was stolen Saturday morning from a storage lot in Odessa. Jordan Bowen reports.
ODESSA, Fla. - The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a debris removal truck was stolen from a Kansas City crew helping out after Hurricane Milton.
Investigators say the truck, worth about $325,000, was taken from a storage lot in Odessa.
"I really didn't think it was possible because we've never had that problem before. It's like a city block going down the road. You know, they're a pretty good size," the truck's owner and President of National Debris Removal Joe Messina said.
Hillsborough County deputies are searching for a debris truck that was stolen from a lot in Odessa.
Last week, Messina and his company, National Debris Removal, came down from Kansas City to do work for the next few months.
READ: City of St. Petersburg using private haulers to help make 90-day debris deadline
On Friday night, they parked the debris removal truck in a lot on Gunn Highway in Odessa with the owner’s permission, but when they came back Saturday morning, it was gone. That’s when Messina called the sheriff’s office.
"You've got to be heartless," Messina stated. "These trucks are pretty important right now and to park it in a gated lot and lose it overnight the second day you've been here. I've never seen anything like it."
Messina and his workers are now sleeping at the Odessa lot in a camper to protect the rest of the equipment and trucks.
Deputies are now working on getting surveillance video from a camera from the business next door which points toward the lot.
In the meantime, Messina and his workers are now sleeping at the lot in a camper to protect the rest of the equipment and trucks as they continue to work here for the next few months to help with Hurricane Milton clean up.
"They're professional. They must have a box or something to start these trucks and drive away," Messina said.
Anyone with information on the stolen debris truck is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
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