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Two employees of a Bay Area termite-control company were arrested last week (Dec. 14) after the firm’s owner suspected they might have been involved in burglaries in Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills homes that were burglarized after receiving termite work from his company.
In both cases, the homeowners called the owner of the termite-control company, who then contacted police.
(View the police press release)
The Palo Alto burglary occurred between Nov. 27 and 28 in the 100 block of Tennyson Avenue.
Police Officer Tom Pohl determined that the two employees, recently hired by the termite-control company, both had police records. The men were identified as Herbert A. Thompson, 48, who was on parole for robbery and Isaac Aguilar, 20, who was wanted on two felony warrants for narcotics violations.
The men were located and arrested by Foster City police, Palo Alto Police Agent Donna Arndt said. A search of their vehicle produced property stolen in both the Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills burglaries, along with four guns, she reported. Thompson and Aguilar face burglary charges, Arndt said.
By Don Kazak
Aren’t companies like these supposed to run background checks on applicants before offering employment? Or is this one of those times you really have to look for the word “bonded” when hiring a company?
Either way, I wonder why they’re not naming the company.
It does make you wonder about background checks and references. Witness the murder of that young girl by her personal trainer from a gym. He had a record of violence. And we are supposed to trust these people!!! I sure would like to know the name of the company. And how do we protect ourselves???
The problem is that the work may have been subcontracted out, temps hired, etc. The company that did the inspection, may not be the one who did the fumigation.
Interesting story. Not because of what they reported, but what they DIDN’T report. Why not name the company? Even if, as “common sense” wrote, the work may have been that of a subcontractor, isn’t the hired company ultimately responsible for the behavior of its employees and subcontractors?
I think it’s irresponsible journalism NOT to report the name. I don’t think this company can be trusted. That’s just my opinion, though, and I think all readers have the right to make that judgment for themselves. As it is, I’m now skeptical of all Bay-Area pest control businesses.
And no mention of whether the termites are gone!
These two were arrested after a burglary on Tennyson?? Wasn’t it on Tennyson where a resident was accosted and robbed getting out of his automobile not too long ago? Could there be a connection?
The race to the bottom in unskilled or semi-skilled wages, highly exaccerbated by the flood of illegal immigrants, leaves very little room for legitimate businesses to compete, if they agree to screen their own employees, including their subs.
A few major lawsuits will curtail the problem. However, get used to paying a reasoanble working wage for your termite problems. And your lawns. And your maid services. Just a guess, but probably about $45/hour for each person employed directly; add at least 50% if you are paying through a contractor.
“These two were arrested after a burglary on Tennyson?? Wasn’t it on Tennyson where a resident was accosted and robbed getting out of his automobile not too long ago? Could there be a connection?”
Interesting point. I seem to recall that the description of the robbers in the robbery could have fit the two guys arrested, but I’m not sure. I hope the cops check this out. I live on Tennyson.
Regarding the risk of subcontracters (unknown people) being involved in a job and posing a possible risk:
It sounds from the story like these were actual employees in this case.
Tenting is a big job in certain respect. I remember contracting with a termite company to do a tenting of my home many years ago, and another company’s truck showed up on the day to do the job! I remember we had a harangue about it, actually can’t recall how it was resolved. We had done all the preparation, removed food and pets, etc. so we wanted to go ahead with the job. I do remember he had no prior arrangement for any sub to show up and do it and were surprised at an unknown company showing up. This could pose a variety of risks.
So when you arrange for tenting, directly ask if the people you’re contracting with will be the actual people showing up to do the job!
The company isn’t obligated to screen its workers and probably does not to save $$. Unfortunately, unless someone gets hurt a lawsuit seems unlikely due to the cost and time involved.
Some of the large cable and phone companies only recently (last couple years for Comcast) started to insist on pre-employment screening by their subs. So smaller operations you can imagine generally do even less. Something to factor in when choosing a vendor I suppose.
I’ve read the constant snide comments about EPA residents who commit criminal acts in PA. While they do make up some of the crime stats in PA, many of the crimes are meth-related & committed by non-EPA residents. It’ll be interesting to see in future reports where these burglars live.
nobody ever talks about the cocaine drunk driving of white collar caucasians in the valley …
Wow, I just had some termite work done, now I’m left wondering.
Wages,
What did Rush Lim-blah say about this issue? Hmmmm?