Man's dream of owning home destroyed by thieves

DETROIT – A man who purchased a house from Housing and Urban Development was looking forward to making improvements and helping in Detroit's comeback, but thieves destroyed his dreams of moving into his own home.

The windows are gone, boards now cover holes, doors are missing and the furnace, air conditioner and hot water heater all vanished.

Aree Ships said it was going to be his dream home -- his first home. The life-long Detroiter bought the HUD home and said he hoped to move in after making a few repairs. But thieves keep breaking in. Within a few short weeks, major damage had been done.

Police were called but only after the thieves were long gone. The call was classified as a lower priority run, so the crooks kept coming back for more.

The Eastside neighborhood has seen a few new homes go up in the last year and a few eye soars have been knocked down. Ships said he desperately wanted to be part of Detroit's rebirth.


About the Author:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.