Vandals caused an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 in damage to a newly built home on Banyan Street Southwest in Palm Bay, Florida, by flooding the property and destroying interior features. Palm Bay Police are investigating the incident but currently have no leads.
How the Damage Was Discovered
A neighbor noticed water flowing out of the home’s garage and contacted the listing agent. When the team entered the property, they found that every faucet in the house had been plugged and left running overnight, causing extensive flooding throughout the interior.
The vandals attempted to break in through several windows but were largely thwarted by hurricane-resistant glass installed in the home. Inside, the flooding destroyed wood flooring and saturated drywall throughout the structure.
Contractor Estimates Costly Repairs
Farris Soboh of Manzil Construction, the general contractor who spent months building the home, said the repairs will be extensive. “A lot of flood damage,” Soboh said. “We might have to hire a specialty mold remediation contractor.” He estimated the total cost of repairing drywall, windows, appliances including the refrigerator, and flooring at between $30,000 and $40,000. Soboh said he will likely have to cover the repair costs out of pocket, and the home’s listing on the market will be delayed by at least a month.
Investigation Hampered by Isolated Location
The Palm Bay Police Department processed the scene, but the home’s proximity to an area known locally as “The Compound” — a remote section with limited infrastructure — has made the investigation difficult. “This is a very isolated area where there’s not really any proper infrastructure,” Soboh noted.
In a statement, Palm Bay Police said: “Our officers processed the scene and conducted a neighborhood canvass. Unfortunately, there are no leads. Since these incidents, our officers have been by the residence for security checks.”
Public Asked to Check Security Cameras
Those involved in the case are asking anyone in the surrounding area to review security camera footage from February 25 through early March for any suspicious activity. “See if we could find the people responsible,” said Preisendanz, the real estate agent connected to the property. Anyone with information is asked to contact Palm Bay Police and reference report numbers 26-001661 and 26-001752.
Tips to Protect Vacant or New Construction Properties
Palm Bay Police offered several recommendations to help protect unoccupied homes from similar incidents. They suggest installing blinds or curtains so it is not obvious the home is empty, using timers to keep interior lights on at night and adding exterior motion-sensor lighting. Homeowners should also maintain the exterior landscaping and avoid leaving construction materials or tools outside. Surveillance cameras with cloud-based storage and active motion sensors are also strongly recommended.
