HOUSTON, Texas – A Houston-area family faced an unexpected challenge after pleading for public help when their semi-truck was stolen from a trucking center in southwest Houston earlier this month.
On Nov. 14, just before the holidays, the Jordan family shared their excitement about starting a veteran-owned trucking company using their family savings to purchase a 2019 International LT semi-truck.
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Carey Jordan, a CDL driver, said he quit his job on Nov. 8, taking “a leap of faith” with hopes of becoming an owner-operator by Nov. 25. He stored the semi-truck at the TA Express Truck Center on 126-2 Southwest Freeway while finalizing arrangements in Dallas.
When Jordan returned to the trucking center on Nov. 15 to check on his truck, it was gone.
“At first, I thought it had been towed, but the clerks informed me it had been stolen,” Jordan shared on his GoFundMe page.
Surveillance footage revealed a man breaking into the passenger side of the truck, starting it, and driving away shortly after.
Jordan said when he approached the trucking center’s management for answers, they dismissed the incident, saying, “This happens.” Attempts to track the truck through the seller also failed, as trackers are only installed in financed vehicles, not those paid in full like Jordan’s.
“We are devastated. This truck represented our livelihood, our dreams, and our family’s future,” Jordan wrote. “We had a 10-day bobtail insurance policy, which we are currently discussing with the insurance company, but it may not cover theft. Meanwhile, we are left without a truck and trying to find a way to continue providing for our three children—especially with the holidays approaching.”
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a new truck, which has garnered over $4,000, so far.
A spokesperson for the fundraiser revealed that a donor has since gifted the family a new truck, allowing them to move forward with their business plans.