Work trailers burglarized for a second time

THONOTOSASSA (FOX 13) - For the second time in four months, thieves have targeted a storage lot at the end of Branchton Church Road in Thonotosassa.

Saturday night, at least two people cut a large hole in the fence and broke into three trailers, according to Eddie Palmer, the owner of one of the trailers.

"Second time, again," Palmer said. "What are the chances of it happening a second time?"

In July, thieves hooked Palmer's trailer up and drove off with it. They stole lawn equipment and an expensive Chevy motor. Three other trailers were burglarized that night.

Since then, Palmer went as far as leaving his work truck hooked up to the trailer to prevent it from being taken.

So instead, thieves busted out the truck window and pried open the trailer's barn doors.

Inside they took an air compressor, a pressure washer and caused thousands of dollars in damage.

"It looked like somebody just threw a grenade inside the trailer and just blew it out," Palmer said. "Now we're looking at another ten thousand dollars. It's all up to the insurance company now."

Palmer's business, Eddie Palmer Mobile Detailing, is on hold until he can figure out how to get his equipment back.

He hopes pawn shops will keep an eye on any strange, auto detailing equipment coming in.

And he asked anyone with information to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.