CAPE CORAL, Fla. — James Strickler noticed $2,500 missing from his car Thursday morning, and says it was money he planned to use to buy new hearing aids for his deaf wife.
Strickler says his wife's aunt gave her the money for the new devices because hers stopped working. One stopped working six months ago, and the other went out Friday.
He said he’s upset this happened. “I just feel bad inside….frustrated…irritated that somebody even did that,” he said.
They’ve lived on Northeast 10th Avenue in Cape Coral for four years, but Thursday’s car break-in was the first time they’ve gotten robbed.
Strickler said it took him by surprise. “I just felt this was a safe area,”
He said now they don’t know how they’re going to buy the new hearing aids. “[We’re living] paycheck to paycheck now,” he said.
Cape Coral Police said the same suspects targeted another family that same night. Surveillance video captured two suspects breaking into a pick-up truck on Northeast 34th Lane and 17th Place. In both cases, the vehicles were left unlocked.
The person who lives on 34th Lane said the thieves got away with $2200.
Kevin Lopez is a child who lives nearby and said his friend told him that someone broke into his dad’s car. He said if that happened to him, he’d be mad too. “If that happened I’d be like what? We could’ve used that money for something else. Go shopping, what else? Bills. You never know,” he said.
Strickler said he has one message for the people who broke into his car. “Just please return it [the money]. That’s all we ask. Just return it,” he said.
Cape Coral Police urge anyone with information to call them or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
