The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has made a donation of $1,500 to the "Make a Wish Foundation" on behalf of an investigator who is responsible for recovering more than $4 million worth of construction equipment over the past four years.

AGC and the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators recognized Senior Investigator John Abounader of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Auto Theft Unit. Abounader received a check and a plaque for his efforts in the recovery of stolen and altered construction equipment at a ceremony in Virginia Beach, VA, on Aug. 6.

Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC chief executive officer, said, "Equipment theft continues to be a major problem on construction job sites, adding cost and delaying on-time delivery of the project. AGC is proud to recognize Senior Investigator Abounader and the hundreds of police officers nationwide investigating construction equipment theft."

Abounader has worked on a task force with the U.S. Customs Service since 1992 in identifying stolen construction equipment (mainly backhoe/loaders and bulldozers) being imported and exported between the United States and Canada. He has been actively involved in several investigations relating to equipment that has been stolen and retagged with counterfeit product identification number plates or serial number plates. Investigator Abounader chose the "Make a Wish Foundation" for a charitable contribution from AGC in his name. "Make a Wish" uses donations to grant wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

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