Package Stolen Off Sacramento Couple's Porch Contained Priceless Family Quilt
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A prowler is stealing packages off people's porches, including one Sacramento couple's irreplaceable family heirloom.
Michelle Whelan waited 30 years to make a quilt, only to have it stolen from her front porch. To her, the thief stole more than just a family quilt, but decades of memories as well.
The postman says he set the package on a porch chair, but Michelle never got it. She doesn't even have a picture of the quilt to remember the memories.
"Labor of love, gorgeous looking at it," said Paul Whelan.
A family friend made a quilt top from ties both Paul and his father used to wear.
"My husband was reminiscing, 'I remember wearing that tie,' " said Michelle.
Years of memories were sewn together and given to Paul 30 years ago. His wife decided to finally have it made into a quilt to celebrate their wedding anniversary. It was mailed back this week by a quilt maker, while the couple was on vacation.
"The quilter had contacted me and told me it should have been delivered, and I never got it," said Michelle.
The couple believes someone saw the package, had the nerve to walk onto their porch and steal it.
"It just makes me sick because it has no meaning or value to them at all. It's just another blanket," said Michelle.
All those memories the ties carried are gone. Now, the Whelans are doing everything they can to find the quilt.
"We went around yesterday and today dumpster diving, looking in garbage cans, hoping to find at least the box," said Michelle.
So far they haven't has any luck, but they're not giving up.
"Hoping that they'll think about it and bring it back," said Paul.
The Whelans have also posted an ad on Craigslist, as well as called area antique stores and pawn shows.
