Scrap metal thieves can't stop Cleveland couples' dream

CLEVELAND - Lisa Carlini and Aaron Pearl aren't going to let thieves stop their dream of being successful Cleveland business owners. The couple was in the process of renovating a building on Lorain Road when a team of scrap metal thieves broke-in through a back door and took nearly everything.

Carlini told NewsChannel5 she and her husband were hoping to open a neighborhood cafe and meeting place sometime later this summer, but now they're facing a huge setback.

The criminals took two brand new furnaces, air conditioning units, several appliances, and even broke into a series of walls, and took piping and electrical wiring.

"It was pretty devastating. It was like a bad dream," said Pearl. "We were just trying to reinvest in the neighborhood."

Cleveland police report the criminals likely spent several days completely gutting the building. The thieves even took numerous items from two apartments on the second floor.

Investigators arrested Charles Smith, 50, in connection with the break-in, but they're still looking for additional suspects.

Pearl believes increasing accountability for what is being brought into local scrap yards will help reduce metal theft.

"If you can just gut a building, show up at a scrap yard, and know that you're going to get paid without any scrutiny, then there is no disincentive in doing so," said Pearl.

Unfortunately, the couple failed to renew their insurance on the building several months ago. They estimate it will take more than $20,000 to restore what they lost.

Still, the couple told 5 On Your Side Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis they refuse to give up on their dream.

"I really don't want the city to beat us," said Carlini. "Cleveland has wonderful people and we have great heart and great desire to do good things. So, it has to happen."

More information about the couple's renovation effort can be found on their Origins Beanery Facebook page.

Stay with NewsChannel5 and newsnet5.com for the latest on the search for more suspects in this ongoing investigation.