ST. LOUIS — For the past 38 years, 71-year-old Dan Hagerty has run Old World Roofing near Brannon and Magnolia avenues in south St. Louis.
"What do I like about this business? I like being able to do it right and don't cut any corners. I love it," Hagerty said.
Monday, Hagerty showed up at his shop and did not like what he saw.
"He climbed on the back fence from the railroad tracks came in that way," Hagerty said.
He said shortly after 9 a.m. on Easter Sunday, Gage Luttman came onto his property.
"The cameras are picking him up the whole time. He was wearing a surgical mask," added Hagerty.
Hagerty told police Luttman climbed over the back fence to his business.
"He walked around, looked inside my 11 trucks and opened the door of every truck and then left, " recalled Hagerty.
Hours later, the longtime business owner said Luttman returned with another man around 2 a.m.
"The gate was open. The chain had been cut," recalled Hagerty.
He said Luttman and his accomplice stole hundreds of tools from him and put them on the back of one of trucks.
"So, Luttman actually sped through my fence while the other guy rode down the street and then they both put my tools in their truck and took off. Police later found my Sierra and about 20 percent of my tools, which left my insurance company a little happy. Eighty-five percent of my guys still don't have the proper tools that they need to do their daily job. It will set us back for about a week," Hagerty said.
Police arrested Luttman Monday afternoon.
Prosecutors charged him in connection with three burglaries over the past four months.
Luttman is charged with burglary, stealing, property damage, trespassing and stealing a motor vehicle.
Investigators said he was on probation at the time of the crimes in January, March and April and now is "the main suspect in 25 other burglaries."
"I'm relieved to hear that he was arrested," added Dan Hagerty.
Hagerty now has to replace his stolen tools.
"So far, we got a new chain and new locks," he said.
Plus, he has a message for the suspected burglars.
"I'll put you to work tomorrow morning, but don't steal from me," Hagerty said.
Police said during one of the break-ins, Luttman stole hundreds of dollars worth of jewelry.
They say in another similar crime, he stole hundreds of dollars worth of copper.
Luttman remained in jail as of Thursday.