Heartbreaking Heist at Katy Welding

URGENT CALL TO KATY, TEXAS RESIDENTS!

Who am I?
Let me start by thanking you for taking the time to read my story.  My name is Monica, I live in Katy Texas with the love of my life and our two children and I work for Katy ISD.  I have never done anything like this before, I am not sure what to write, and I am not sure if my story will reach anyone, but my heart is overwhelmingly compelled to try. February 5, 2018, we woke up to what we thought was just another Monday morning.  Both of us heading off to work, Allen and I kissed each other, hugged the children and as I was walking out the door I said "Today is going to be a great day!".  Forty-two minutes later I received Allen's text "The shop has been robbed!!!  Its awful!!"  At that moment, I had no understanding of the depths of devastation this robbery would cause.

Allen works at Katy Welding in Katy TX, along with Stephen, Mike and Paul. 

Who is Katy Welding?
Katy Welding is Allen's company, established six years ago and located in the heart of old Katy.  These guys have been together for years and would be best described as a family.  Like Allen, each one of these men have families of their own and have put years of their blood, sweat and tears into this company.  These men believe a man is only as good as his word, they believe a firm handshake is as solid as a contract, and they don't charge their customers the high prices that they could.  They believe in helping people, providing a service for people, and establishing relationships built on trust.  These men do their jobs, the way they live their lives, honorably.  

What happened?
At 6:30am Allen arrives at the shop, one of the bay doors is open and there are tools strewn about in the parking lot.  He immediately knew something was wrong.  As he walked into the shop, he saw devastation and destruction.  The thieves had taken several welding machines, hand tools and a trailer that was in the shop.  They loaded Katy Welding's property onto the trailer and drove away with all of it, property totaling in excess of $41,000.00.
Nothing in the shop was untouched. Several doors were damaged and a mess was left in the wake.  The shop was locked down and equipped with security cameras, we can only speculate as to how they got inside and the DVR that held the video footage of the break in was taken as well.  I'm so thankful to Brandt Electric, they were able to catch some images from their security cameras, showing the time frame, vehicles involved and at least four individuals.

Katy Police Department is on the case, #2018-3638


The Impact
This couldn't have happened at a worse time.  Its been roughly five months since Hurricane Harvey.  Operations at Katy Welding, like all other small businesses in and around Houston, was just now beginning to normalize after the devastation incurred from the storm. The loss of all this equipment, poses a great challenge for these guys.  Its a devastating blow to the company and to each man individually. Its hard to believe that what took years to acquire, in just a few hours could be completely gone.  

The General Liability Insurance that Katy Welding carries only covers customer property.

Total losses are estimated at $41,000 so far
See List Below

CALLING ALL ANGELS!
Help is something that is difficult for Allen to ask for.  As long as I have known him, he has been everyone's go to guy, he is a problem solver and the one who helps everyone out of any bind they might find themselves in.  The same is true for the men that work for him.  I have never seen him turn anyone away, his friendship and loyalty is steadfast.  It is for this reason, that right now, he feels he must do everything possible, to right this wrong, for the men who work for him and their families.

How you can help
-Share my story on social media with a personal message
-Donate what you can to this GoFundMe page
 Each and every donation will make a difference, the funds will be used to purchase machines and tools.  I will post pictures of each machine and tool purchased with your donations.  
-Help us catch the individuals who did this.  If you have any information or recognize the individuals and/or vehicles in the photographs, please contact Officer Reyna at the Katy Police Department (281) [phone redacted].
-Send prayers and positive thoughts for everyone effected


I can only speculate as to why someone would do this.  Its easy to be angry, but it does more harm than good.  And while I do feel angry, I am trying to find forgiveness in my heart.  Maybe these people are facing hard times too.  Maybe they felt this was their only option.  I don't know.  What I do know is these powerful words, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  (Luke 23:34 NIV)


Please help us turn this awful circumstance into something good.  What an awesome and amazing thing it would be, if we all came together to help these men, and restore their faith in humanity.  And for all the Katy residents, we all know Katy takes care of their own!  This is why we love Katy, and why we love living here.  

I desperately want to help Allen, Stephen, Mike and Paul repair the damage that was done and help them attain the tools they need to work.  I can not do it alone.  Please help me, help the Katy Welding family.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you, so much, for all of your support.  Without the love and support from family, friends, and kind people we meet along the way, this would be so much more difficult.  We truly do appreciate all of you!


"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Mathew 7:12 NIV)


Stolen Property List
Lincoln welding hood
Winch, (4500lb)
Tongue mounted toolbox
2 ball hitches, (tri-ball)
Milwaukee mag drill
4 Bosch hammer drills
Miller Mutimatic suitcase welder
Table Vise, (broken by forklift)
3 Makita 4.5 inch angle grinders
4 strong hand clamps
Air powered hydraulic piston jack
2 victor torches with victor gauges
Gas powered air compressor
7 inch dewalt grinder
2 dewalt angle grinders
Dewalt die grinder
Blue point air die grinder
2 air hoses, (100ft each)
Pressure washer hose, (100ft)
2 Pressure washer wands
Beveling machine, with victor torch
Assorted electrical connectors, (tackle box)
2 Dewalt tool boxes
Makita portable radio
6 ratchet straps
Makita sawzall
Milwaukee chop saw
Dewalt chop saw
Milwaukee portable band saw
Makita skill saw
Miller trailblazer 302 generator/welder
Miller trailblazer 325 generator/welder
Miller dynasty tig welder
Miller plasma cutter
Hyundai pressure washer, (4000psi)
Subaru pressure washer, (3500psi)
3 Makita 18 volt drills
2 Makita chargers
2 Makita 18 volt impacts
6 Makita batteries
Sledgehammer
1/2 inch Matco impact
350 ft of welding leads
Amcrest DVR
IMAC mini mac computer, (keyboard/mouse)
Toshiba laptop
Lincoln wire feeder, (mig welder)
3 Miller spoolmatic spool guns
Miller XMT 304 welder
Power probe
Snap On sockets/ratchets/screwdriver etc..
Still chainsaw
6x10ft utility trailer
Coke machine damaged beyond repair
3 Interior doors