WAUKESHA, Wis. — It wasn’t an ideal way to start the workday on Tuesday for crews and volunteers at Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. When they arrived at their construction site in the Domencia Park Neighborhood, they noticed most of their tools were gone. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hundreds of tools were stolen from a Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County construction site in the Domencia Park Neighborhood

  • The tools are worth $10,000 to $15,000

  • The project is continuing on

  • Brett Peloquin is the director of development and marketing for Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. He shared the situation on social media. Many people have since sent in donations to help replace the tools

  • Volunteers are also bringing their own tools to the site

Scott Meissner is the construction director and said the value of the tools stolen is estimated to be between $10,000 to $15,000. 

“Mainly Milwaukee cordless tools, which are drills, saws, circular saws,” said Meissner. “Anything you can think of. It was hundreds of tools, including batteries.”

Meissner said it was a gut punch and a shock to hear the news.

The project started a year ago and includes two duplexes and 16 single-family homes. 

“We’re going to keep moving and get stronger from this,” said Meissner. “We’re going to put in some more security devices that will prevent this from happening again.”  

He said the lack of tools has caused a setback, but the project is moving forward. 

“We have a very resourceful volunteers and some of them will be using their own tools until we can have them replaced,” said Meissner.

Brett Peloquin is the director of development and marketing for Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. He shared the situation on social media and the community has stepped up in a big way. Many people have sent in donations to help replace the tools. 

“They set us back an inch and we’re going to go forward about a mile because of all of the people that are recognizing the work that we’re doing and seeing the growth potential that we have,” said Peloquin. “Obviously we’re up against a crisis already with affordable housing.”

Both said they’re taking the matter in stride and are thankful for the community’s help. 

“We’ll find things to do we can do without the tools that are here that we were using,” said Meissner. “We’ll find ways to get around it and make things work.”

The Waukesha Police Department is investigating the situation.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County and how you can help, click here. 

Related Stories