Granada Hills Homeowner Launches Fund to Replace Stolen Tools for Deaf Construction Crew

Jan Menapace launched a GoFundMe campaign on Monday with a goal of $5,000 to help replace power tools stolen from a crew of deaf construction workers. The theft occurred on October 22 while the workers were repairing water damage in her Granada Hills home. So far, the campaign has raised nearly $4,000.

Menapace hired Neverless Construction to patch a leak and address water damage in her kitchen following recent storms in Southern California. The crew was inside the house when two thieves arrived in a silver, four-door BMW sedan. The vehicle bore a red "Supreme" sticker on what appeared to be the fuel door.

According to footage from Menapace's Ring camera, the car drove slowly into the driveway. A man wearing gray sweatpants, white socks, black sandals, and a black hooded sweatshirt exited the passenger side. He rushed to the garage, took a crate of tools and a leaf blower, and returned to the vehicle. The car then reversed out of the driveway and departed.

Menapace stated that the theft was brazen, noting that the thieves walked directly into her garage and took the equipment. "To take from these men who are working so hard for me, who’ve tried to accumulate all these tools.. My heart felt so heavy," she said. The stolen items included a nail gun, a blower, and eight batteries, representing thousands of dollars in value.

One of the workers discovered the missing crate when he went to collect a needed tool. He signed to his colleagues that the equipment was gone. Menapace, who was present, checked the security footage and confirmed the incident. Michael Litberg, the owner of Neverless Construction and a member of the crew, informed Menapace that the tools had been stolen.

The crew had been working in the rain all day to patch the leak. Menapace recalled that the workers were exhausted from holding umbrellas during the downpour. Litberg said the theft was disheartening, but the public support following the incident has lifted the team's spirits. "It’s picking up my spirits again," Litberg said. "I almost want to cry."

Bert Horvath, another crew member, said in sign language that he felt low after the incident but was inspired by the generosity of donors. Menapace praised Litberg for keeping the group calm. She noted that Litberg had been working with her since April, when he was let go from a sales job at a roofing company. Shortly after that termination, he launched Neverless Construction and assisted Menapace with her roofing disputes.

After the theft, Litberg called friends to borrow tools so the work could continue. The crew worked until 7:30 p.m. that day. Menapace ordered pizza for the men, who ate in her driveway. The Ring camera captured the moment as they embraced in a group hug next to a yellow pizza box.

Litberg signed to his workers that the day was bad but that they would stay positive and keep going. "All you can do is do the best we can. We stay safe, stay healthy, this too shall pass," he said. The group then hugged. "We’re OK," Litberg said. "We will come out on top."

Menapace did not report the theft to the Los Angeles Police Department immediately because she was unsure if officers could take action at that moment. She shared the video with the Los Angeles Times in hopes that viewers would recognize the vehicle or the suspect and report the information to the police.