Mark 5 Construction, Inc. One of Their Employees Stole My Xbox 360 Brandywine Maryland

On June 19 of this year, 2008, two employees of Mark 5 Construction, Inc. arrived at my home at 3272 Westdale Court to perform ceiling repairs due to water damage we had recently experienced. I rent this property, so I did not choose this company. From what I understand, my landlord, Alice Newcomb, filed an insurance claim to get the water damage repaired, and Mark 5 Construction, Inc. was selected that way. At any rate, the two Mark 5 employees entered my home that morning. One was black, one was white, both were older gentlemen, albeit, I hesitate to attempt to guess their ages. I had to work that day, and could only stay long enough to greet them, and go over what needed to be done. After talking with the men, I went to work, and the rest of my family left to do other things... largely, to be out of the Mark 5 employees' way while they worked, given the nature of the work they were doing. They completed the work... even apparently going so far as to repair a dining room chair of mine that the cushion had come off, which I was impressed with. Things had been moved around to accomodate them, so initially, I did not notice anything wrong. Then, just before I was going to bed for the night, I noticed my Microsoft Xbox 360 video game system was missing.

My wife purchased that system for me for my birthday, just this past March 22, 2008, at Walmart on Rte. 301 & Acton Lane. I can easily prove this. The fact that the system cost $349.99 plus tax, really hurts... that is a lot of money to us. Throw in that it was a birthday gift from my wife, and it really hurts. I am so highly disgusted, angry, and disappointed by this invasion of my household by the Mark 5 employees, that I do not know what to do. I am literally beside myself in anger. I contacted my landlord, Ms. Newcomb, about the situation. I also checked into my renter's insurance policy. It is covered, but I have a $500 deductible... so I still have to replace the system out of pocket.

Finally, I decided to file a police report, and press charges against the perpetrator. The Charles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. I filed the report with an Officer Virts. Case number 08-07184. It is my intention to follow this through until someone is apprehended for committing this crime. In fact, right now, it is my life's mission, because I have never felt so violated.

Unfortunately, of late, things have not been going well. It looks like, in this country, a contractor can come in your house, take your belongings, and if you do not have it on tape, then they get away with it free and clear. The police are unable to make an arrest, due to lack of evidence. I sent an email to the President of Mark 5 Construction, Inc., Mark T. George, and he has told me to cease and desist with any contact attempts on him, or the company, and that I must comminucate all issues through his lawyer. His lawyer, David Martin, Esq., has said little more to me than "we will cooperate with law enforcement". So far, no one seems to care that one of this company's employees stole property from my home. All they have done so far, that I am aware, is ask the two men who had entered my house if they took the video game system... and of course, both men claim they do not know anything about it... what did Mark 5 Contruction, Inc. think they were going to say? Yes, boss... I took it?

To date, the employee who stole my video game system has gotten away with this crime, and there is no sign whatsoever that Mark 5 Construction, Inc. has any intention of reimbursing me for my stolen property, or replacing it, or anything. Suing is not cost effective for the amount of the system. The person working for this company that stole my property, is simply getting away with it, scott free... no criminal charges... no job suspension... no job loss. Free Xbox 360 video game system, practically brand new. That is not the way things are supposed to go in this country.

Needless to say, I will never trust another contractor again... ever.

Richard
Waldorf, Maryland
U.S.A.