Stolen trailer and equipment jeopardizes man’s gutter business

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Hanahan resident Michael Mazza woke up on Easter Sunday and saw that someone had stolen his trailer right off his property.

“I had a rush of nausea and disbelief and panic," Mazza said.

Michael was panicked because inside that trailer, he kept everything he needs to run his business.

“Seven by 16 foot trailer, gutter machine, all my tools, you know, everything I use to take care of me and my family," Mazza said.

Mazza is the owner of Port City Gutter Company, where he makes and installs seamless gutters for people.

Mazza said his trailer was locked when it was stolen.

“These wheel locks, they slip around the hub," Mazza said. "Somehow, they were able to remove this.”

In the police report, Michael estimated he lost more than $25,000 because someone stole his trailer.

Mazza has been growing his business for three years and he says getting it back will be an enormous struggle.

“Because we literally lost everything," Mazza said. "We’ll be starting over like it was year one.”

Mazza said he has been driving around every day and night since the trailer was stolen, looking for anything that could help him find his trailer and his equipment.

Mazza hopes he doesn’t have to spend more money to buy new equipment because it might put him and his family even more behind financially.

“Oh yeah, it’s a tremendous amount of pressure and stress for any parent or business owner," Mazza said. "It’s—trying to keep it together, here.”

Mazza is offering a $1,000 reward for any information about his stolen trailer.

A spokesperson for the Hanahan Police Department says they are actively investigating this case.

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