'It's The Memories, The Sentimental Value': Family Of Late Pawnee Man Seeks Justice For Those Who Stole His Items

Family members of a Pawnee man who died a few years ago said they’re heartbroken after thieves broke into his shop and stole valuable and sentimental items.

Now, they just want some justice for the man's widow.

Shawna Thompson said she wants these thieves to just come forward and return the items from her dad's shop, items he had collected over a lifetime.

She said her mom and dad deserve better.

Shawna Thompson said her dad was a quiet man with a heart of gold and her daughters, Grace and Faith, loved their grandpa.

“He was a hard worker," Shawna said. "He worked with his hands and he could fix anything.”

Charles was a mechanic and worked for the National Guard.

He married his wife Susie in 1962.

He loved using his mower and tools to fix things and keep himself busy, even later in life.

Charles died in 2020 from cancer.

“He went into the hospital, and while there, they found cancer had spread through his body, up his spine," she said.

Shawna said losing him was hard enough for everyone, but bad became worse when they realized her parents' home had been burglarized recently.

"You can see them try to turn it on and roll it out, you can see them rummaging around looking through all the tools," said Faith Nietenhoefer.

In a surveillance video from Charles’ shop, you can see the thieves take a mower, four-wheeler, gator and tools.

Shawna said the thieves also got into the home and took things like jewelry.

“Those were tools he had collected his whole life," said Shawna.

“A lot of anger, it's not theirs and they took advantage knowing that he’s dead and she would be an easy target," said Faith.

Faith said these were more than just things to them.

“It's more than just the items," she said. "It's the memories, the sentimental value.”

They're hoping these men get arrested.

The Pawnee County sheriff’s office said they’ve identified three men and are waiting for the district attorney to file charges.

They said it’s still an open investigation so if you have information, contact them.