Thieves Take Senior Citizenâ€™s Car

Eighty or 90 people a week have their car stolen in Tulsa. Stolen car claims cost one national insurance company $225 million a year, but for the victim, the cost is more than money. News On 6 crime

Monday, August 27th 2007, 5:40 pm

By: News On 6

Eighty or 90 people a week have their car stolen in Tulsa. Stolen car claims cost one national insurance company $225 million a year, but for the victim, the cost is more than money. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports even though auto theft is a property crime victims take it very personally.

Ruth Wilbanks is a senior citizen, 73 to be exact; she can't afford to live on her social security earnings, so she has to work. Her car is her only way to get there, but that car is gone, stolen right out of her driveway last week.

"The more it set in, the madder I got, but what can you do?â€ said auto theft victim Ruth Wilbanks. â€œI keep thinking the Lord has something better in mind for you or this wouldn't have happened, but the good stuff hasn't come yet."

Ruth worked hard to pay off her white, 1993 Cutlass Sierra. She only carried liability insurance and has no idea how she'll replace it.

"Why, that car? I mean, why an older car, like that?â€ Wilbanks said. â€œIf I were that inclined and going to be a thief I'd certainly pick something newer. Maybe they thought this one would go and not be noticed."

Police say stripping a car for parts is a big money, black market business, and thieves can have a car stripped down to the frame in under 10 minutes, using only hand tools. There's no way to know if Ruth's car is now in parts or if it was simply used for a joy ride. What she does know is the thieves didn't care how it would affect her life.

"Why would they take a senior citizen's vehicle? Especially with a handicap sticker, that really irked me," said Wilbanks.

Ruth has been asking for a ride to and from work and says her employer has been very understanding. She has to depend on others to do the simplest of errands, like running to the store. What she really wants is her car back and she hopes it's still in one piece.

If you have any information in this case you are asked to call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.

Watch the video: Senior Citizen Targeted By Thieves