ST. PAUL, Mn -- A single Minnesota father had his home burglarized -- not once, but twice, over the course of a few months.
The first burglary happened in December. Enrique Gonzales Ramirez was with his daughter Mariana, 6. The young girl has a form of cerebral palsy and had a doctor's appointment.
Mariana
Then, their home was hit again a short time later. This time, thieves stole a TV and several other things. Among them: the children's savings.
"All the kids worked over the weekends to collect cans to earn money so they can buy toys for themselves," said Sgt. Bryant Gaden with the St. Paul Police Department, "that jar that they kept this money in was also taken."
For the police officers who investigated the case, it was a sad story.
"You're always wondering, what could I have done better, or is there anything more I could have done," said Sgt. Gaden.
Sgt. Bryant Gaden
In this case, the officers felt there was something more they could have done. So, they did: they began a collection to replace the stolen items.
"They'll be very nice, happy for everything they got now," Gonzales Ramirez said, talking about his children.
Enrique Gonzales Ramirez
The officers raised thousands of dollars and were able to replace several of the stolen items, including a bunk bed Gonzales Ramirez had made himself.
"That contact with your fellow human being and just wanting to help is the basis and bottom line for what we do," Sgt. Gaden said.
Police still have not caught the suspects behind the burglaries, and continue to investigate.
