Van Stolen with Wheelchair Inside for Disabled Son. Cops Stun Family with 1 Phone Call
When a family from Davis, California, had their van stolen from a local shopping center, the thief took more than just a vehicle.
Inside the van was their 15-year-old disabled son’s wheelchair worth hundreds of dollars, which the boy relies on every day.
Salvador Garcia Sr. was waiting in the car while the rest of his family went in to shop at T. J. Maxx. Soon, his wife called him to come pick up their son while she and their other children continued to shop.
But when he and his son Salvador Garcia Jr. returned to the parking lot five minutes later, Garcia Sr. didn’t see their car anywhere.
“I just left my van. I didn’t lock it, and I forgot to pull out the keys,” he said.
“At first I thought I left it somewhere else,” he explained. “It was real fast, as if somebody was watching. They might have noticed that I didn’t have my keys.”
“I didn’t want to believe that it was gone.”
The family reported the stolen car to the police, but had no idea what to do without Salvador’s wheelchair.
Less than 24 hours later, however, the Davis Police Officers Association caught wind of the Garcia’s situation and knew they needed to help.
By the following day, Salvador was sitting in a brand new wheel chair paid for by the group.
“When we hear about these things and we can help out, we try to do what we can,” said DPOA’s treasurer Officer Ron Trn.
“These are some of the reasons why you get into this business, to help people no matter what it is,” he continued.
Davis police are still investigating the theft and hope to identify a suspect using security footage from local businesses.
But despite their situation, the Garcia family is simply thankful that there are kind people in the world willing to help strangers in need.
“It just means a lot because it really came from a good heart,” said Garcia Sr.
“I’m just so happy they were able to help us,” he continued, grateful that his family was not harmed that night. “We’re just glad it’s that and nothing worse.”
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