MUSKOGEE, Okla. — After a theft put a Muskogee mechanic out of business, he's breathing a sigh of relief after some of his stolen tools were returned.
"This is like a $250 torque wrench," said Jon Altis. "This is a $150 torque wrench."
As Jon Altis inventoried some of the tools that were recently returned to him, he said he's grateful to have them back.
"It was kind of excitement," said Altis. "I was like that's mine, that's mine."
On Jan. 22, 2 News reported a Muskogee mechanic was hoping to get his trailer and tools back after thieves stole them and destroyed his business.
“It hurts definitely,” said Jon Altis. “5 years of building the business and 2 years of being in business and then all of a sudden it’s all gone.”
Altis spent 5 years saving up enough money to start Roadside Mechanic.
“In one night, it’s all gone,” said Altis.
He said the theft happened at Jubilee Christian Center where he parked his trailer. Altis said the trailer was last seen around 10pm Saturday January 6th. By the time he showed up for church Sunday morning, the trailer was gone.
“One of the things that kept me together was the fact that I know God’s got this,” said Altis. “Even in losing everything, I’ve still got him.”
Now Altis said he could soon be back to work.
"I think with the other tools I'm supposed to be getting today, I think I can be back in business next week so I'm definitely happy about that," said Altis.
The recovered tools came from a recent arrest from Wagoner County deputies with help from Muskogee County investigators.
"We're anticipating about $100,000 worth of property was recovered in Wagoner County in the last 2 days," said Lt. Jeff Halfacre with the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office.
Lt. Halfacre said they got information from Muskogee County deputies on Tuesday that led them to the home where they said Wyatt Fulk was storing all the stolen property.
"When we showed up the stolen property was in plain view," said Lt. Halfacre. "Deputies look out in the field and see an RV and just tons of tools, lawnmowers, things like that on trailers."
Lt. Halfacre says there are at least 6 different victims and investigators worked around the clock to get them their stolen stuff back.
For Altis, it means everything.
'It means I can do the thing I love," said Altis. "I love working on cars. Love helping people and I can make some money too. Definitely need to start making money."
Altis said while he didn't get his trailer back yet, he's hopeful that the suspect in custody could lead detectives to it.
On Jan. 29, Atlas' trailer was returned however it faced some damages. The damages to the exterior paint are estimated to cost Atlas around $1000 but he is happy investigators found it.
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