San Jose (KPIX 5)-Due to the ongoing drought prompting some people to change their lawns, the thief was captured by cameras stealing expensive rolls of artificial turf from the front of the San Jose home.

At about 1:20 am on September 25, a security camera on a house on Eastridge Drive captured a suspicious white SUV with its headlights turned off and slowly passing by.

Two minutes later, two men were seen walking to the property from the left, and they went straight to a large roll of artificial turf in the front yard of Rick Terry's house.

Someone saw the thieves fighting the weight of the reel, but then they lifted the reel and walked away. It disappeared after a few seconds.

The surveillance video allegedly showed that two thieves stole the artificial turf from their home in San Jose on September 25, 2021. (CBS)

The surveillance video allegedly showed that two thieves stole the artificial turf from their home in San Jose on September 25, 2021. (CBS)

"It's worth about $4,000," said Terry, who owns a small construction company.

Terry told KPIX 5 that he plans to use turf in the client's work and install turf in his own front yard.

"I think it's a shame," he said. "I think people have to take these measures to steal other people's property, especially those who just want to make a living by providing such services, which is very sad."

Neighbor Lourdes Walker said she was surprised that the thief had stolen the site. "People get hurt for money, they just don't bother to work," she said.

But then she said it made sense because of the drought.

"That's what I considered for my yard, replacing the grass," Walker said.

In fact, one installer stated that the demand for turf is at an all-time high, with prices ranging from $12 to $18 per square foot.

Troy Scott, co-owner of Heavenly Greens, also said that the waiting time for the project has now been backlogged for several months.

"As you can imagine, if someone is doing a side job and they find some turf, it is an asset. But I have to say it is a bit extreme," Scott told KPIX 5.

Terry said he took thousands of dollars from his pocket, but he hopes to catch the thief back, if he can catch the thief.

"I don't know anyone will take these measures to fetch grass," he said.