CRIME

Thieves Take Off With Contractor’s Work Trailers Twice Within Days

Jul 30, 2021, 7:50 AM | Updated: 8:19 am

OGDEN, Utah – A contractor in northern Utah is out of work after his trailer full of tools was stolen in Ogden and then again in South Ogden.

“Yeah, it’s been rough. Real rough,” said Steve Nielson, a contractor who has run his own rain gutter business for years.

“I’ve been doing rain gutters since I was 22. I’m 66 now,” he said. “And I’ve never had a problem leaving my trailer on the job.”

Now, for the first time in his career, he has no rain gutters to keep him going.

“I’m living off the grid. I can’t afford rent,” he said.

It started with a job in Ogden in March. Nielson parked his trailer full of his tools at the site, knowing he’d be coming and going. It’s something he said, “I’ve done it my whole life, you know. If it’s over a day job, leave it overnight. It’s just easier.”

But on this job, he returned to find the trailer missing.

“I thought it was a good neighborhood,” he said.

Nielson said replacing the gutter machine alone will cost around $10,000. And without his trailer and tools, he can’t work. But Nielson picked himself up. He took out his savings and bought another trailer and all the tools he needed to keep going.

“Just an honest guy trying to make a living.”

His next job was nearby in April. This time, he parked his new trailer at his ex-wife’s home in South Ogden, about a mile away from the first incident. And he made sure to lock it up.

“Oh yeah, lock on both doors and the hitch and that didn’t stop it,” he said. “Whole thing! Trailer, everything, ladders, everything. Again.”

He returned in the morning to find his trailer and all his tools missing again. And now he was really at a loss.

“Like I’ve been violated bad. Just, everything taken from me like that. Just feel, it makes me sick,” he said.

Now with no savings, no gutters and the rain pouring, Nielson is looking for work, which he said is hard at his age and hoping he can find a way to get back up again.

“Pick yourself up and start all over again; already done it, trying to do it again.”

Ogden police confirmed Nielson has filed police reports in Ogden and South Ogden, but he said there are no leads.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Photo of crash scene...

Pat Reavy

Man taking family camping near Utah Lake hit and killed; driver criminally charged

The driver of a pickup truck who police say hit and killed a man while on a dirt road in Utah County on Friday night is now facing criminal charges.

11 months ago

(Salt Lake City Police Department)...

Madison Swenson

UPDATE: Suspect arrested for shooting two people at SLC park

Two people were injured Monday night following a shooting at 17th South River Park in Salt Lake City.

11 months ago

Larry Woodcock speaks to a crowd of media cameras and microphones...

Larry D. Curtis and Lauren Steinbrecher

Victim’s grandfather says evidence ‘unequivocal’ in Lori Vallow Daybell trial

As Lori Vallow Daybell entered the fifth week of her trial facing charges of first-degree murder, a victim's grandfather, Larry Woodcock, said the documentation in the case is "unequivocal."

11 months ago

Tammy Daybell...

Larry D. Curtis and Lauren Steinbrecher

Utah’s ME testifies Tammy Daybell was restrained in hours around her killing

Utah's chief medical examiner testified in Idaho today that Tammy Daybell was restrained around the time of her death and was killed by asphyxiation in late 2019.

11 months ago

FILE - Lori Vallow Daybell, appears in court in Lihue, Hawaii, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. The only s...

Larry D. Curtis and Lauren Steinbrecher

Lori Vallow Daybell’s DNA used as evidence for first time in her murder trial

For the first time, Lori Vallow Daybell's DNA has been entered as evidence into her murder trial. A hair found attached to adhesive that is understood — but not clearly stated in court — to be part of the layers of tape found with her son JJ Vallow's body was tested and found to be a match for her.

11 months ago

FILE: Salt Lake City Police...

Michael Houck

Man arrested after armed standoff at a Salt Lake resource center

A man was taken into custody for refusing to give up his firearm at a resource center, causing it to evacuate residents Friday night.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

Thieves Take Off With Contractor’s Work Trailers Twice Within Days