PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A local mother says she's worried her daughters' Christmas will be ruined after someone stole hundreds of dollars' worth of gifts from the trunk of her car while her family was asleep.
Monica Uresti said she locked her 2004 Audi, but that didn't stop a Grinch from breaking in as it was parked in front of her Port Orange home Tuesday.
"I was just standing here puzzled, like, 'Who would do this? Why?,'" Uresti said.
Among the items stolen were school uniforms, a backpack, an external hard drive, a laptop and tools. What Uresti is most concerned about is the $200 worth of gifts for her daughters, 10-year-old Adrianna and 7-year-old Madisson.
"I feel like I let down the kids," Uresti said.
Still, she's hoping her family will be able to salvage the holidays. Police said they found a fingerprint while collecting evidence, and Uresti hopes that will lead them to a suspect and to her stolen items.
"You're stealing from people who work hard, just go get your own stuff," Uresti said.
A friend of Uresti's has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help buy new presents for Adrianna and Madisson in case the stolen ones aren't located before Christmas.
Authorities in Central Florida said this incident comes as a reminder to always stay safe and protect your belongings during the holiday shopping season. Below are some tips they provided:
- Make sure vehicles are locked and anything valuable is secured out of view -- or better yet, taken inside.
- Park in a well-lit area close to the store and shop with a friend or family member. If possible, shop during the daylight hours. Be aware of your surroundings and if there is any reason for alarm, go back to the store and contact a security guard.
- Arrange for someone to accept a package for you if you won't be home when it arrives because package thieves are common in Central Florida.
- Keep the doors and windows of your home locked and only answer the front door if you know who is on the other side.
- Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, no matter where you are, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.