Repeated job site, home building thefts delay construction, drive up costs in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The widespread spike in business crime in Las Cruces is now affecting the cost of new homes.

Business owners and city leaders blame the revolving door of arrests as a contributing factor.

Home builders and job site operators say they've seen an increase in crime in the past six months to a year.

”You’re looking at between 2 to 6 thousand dollars per job site and that could be in one given day. The amount can add up to twenty thousand dollars per job site if they keep hitting that same site over and over,” said Nichole Black, the Executive Director of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association.
Builders say the problem is widespread with popular items for theft, including lumber, cabinets, appliances and electrical lines.

Some thieves are so bold they wave to security cameras that are catching them in the act.
The crime delays the completion of home construction, and with supply chain issues, it could take longer to secure specific items.

"Our particular thing is with the home builders association, of course, is the job site thefts….but we need to come together. We need to report it,” said Black.

Black added that city and state leadership needs to reduce the repeated cycle of theft.