**Deaf Construction Crew Robbed in Los Angeles: A Setback But Not a Defeat**
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In a disheartening event for a newly established construction company in Los Angeles, thieves made off with equipment worth between £3,200 and £4,000 from a deaf construction crew. The incident took place in the Granada Hills neighbourhood on Thursday, October 22, during a service call to a local residence.
Michael Litberg, the founder of Neverless Construction, was working at the home of local resident Jan Menapace, who had recently sought assistance with severe water damage in her kitchen due to a leak. Menapace was impressed by Litberg’s willingness to help. “I love my home, and I put a lot of work into it,” she explained. “He wanted to see if there was anything he could do to help me with anything I needed around my home… I was like, ‘I do need help. I’m going to give this guy a shot.’”
At the time of the theft, Litberg and his team were focused on the repairs inside Menapace’s home. However, unbeknownst to them, thieves were plotting their heist. Surveillance footage revealed a vehicle entering Menapace’s driveway, with a passenger exiting and then swiftly taking tools before leaving the scene.
The crew, which predominantly consists of deaf workers, was initially unaware of what was occurring right outside. “Even though we can’t hear, we’re very good at what we do,” Litberg remarked, taking pride in his team’s skill despite their hearing impairment. Menapace noticed the workers communicating in sign language outside and later went to check on them. When she found out they were missing equipment, she reviewed her security footage, which provided clarity on how the items were stolen.
Litberg shared his dismay, candidly stating, “We are a new company that just started, and we just started to buy the tools. What happened is that we didn’t hear the people that came in to steal the tools.” He estimated the total loss to be around £3,200 to £4,000, a significant blow for a start-up struggling to establish itself in a competitive industry.
Despite the setback, Litberg remains optimistic. He stressed that this unfortunate incident won’t deter his team’s resolve to succeed. “It was a shock, but I can tell you this: we will be okay. We will get through this,” he told KTLA. “They may have stolen our tools, they may have stolen our ability to make money for our families, but they did not take our spirit.”
Local support has also begun to emerge, with community members expressing their sympathy for the crew and hoping to help them recover from the loss. Menapace, who felt a connection with Litberg and his team, voiced her commitment to remaining supportive. “I just felt terrible for them. This is a small company trying to make a living,” she reflected.
The police have been alerted about the theft, and local authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident. However, as of now, there has been no further information or leads regarding the suspects involved.
As the story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those in vulnerable professions, particularly for new businesses. It also highlights the resilience and determination of individuals to overcome adversity, regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in.
In a world where acts of kindness must often coexist with unfortunate events, Litberg’s determination to keep moving forward exemplifies a positive outlook against the odds. As the crew continues to work, they hope that their skills and dedication will ultimately outweigh this unfortunate episode in their journey.