KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Police are investigating two thefts in different parts of the metro that targeted two women in as many days.
Chelsea Taylor, 25, is a barber and a busy mom.
On Monday morning, Taylor stopped at the Conoco at 7th Street and Central Avenue to pick up milk for her kids before dropping them off at daycare.
Little did she know a thief was watching her every move. As Taylor walked into the store, the crook made his move.
Security video shows the suspect opening Taylor's driver's side door and swiping her cellphone, diaper bag and her tools of the trade.
"It's heartbreaking, it really is because you know those are my tools that I worked so hard for," Taylor said.
Among the tools was a special pair of engraved scissors, a graduation gift from Taylor's mom.
"I did what I needed to do and that's why she gave me the scissors and so that's why I got them tattooed on me to show the love I have for my mom," Taylor said.
KCK police found Taylor's phone that the thief had damaged next to a rest stop on I-70.
The mother of three children also went on social media for help, posting her story on Stolen KC.
She later found her stolen items on Craigslist. The alleged thief sold them for $100.
Minutes before this theft, several security cameras captured the suspect wearing a black Superman shirt inside the gas station when he purchased $7 worth of gas.
Police believe the same suspect may be linked to another theft.
On Wednesday, a man broke into a mini-van parked at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
A witness took these photos of the suspect's vehicle, similar to the one used in the KCK theft.
"The witness said his feet was dangling because he was not tall enough to reach so he was actually jumping in and had to reach the stuff," Chinatsu Voiles, the van's owner, told 41 Action News Thursday.
Voiles, a mother of two, bought the van at the beginning of the year and said this happened at the worst time.
"My youngest was sick and I was about to pick him up and I also had a baby, so I have a hospital bill. I work seven days a week, I try to pay off that bill," Violes said tearing up. "It's sad."
The thief stole some documents that belong to Violes and a gift for her newborn.
"I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna get money back for the damage that's fine but I don't want to him do it again," Voiles said.
Taylor has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the cost of replacing her tools.
If you recognize the suspect call KCK or Overland Park Police or the KC CrimeStoppers TIPS hotline 816-474-TIPS (8477).
