CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Here's a story in the "Who could sink so low?" category.
A handicapped van was stolen from someone's driveway in Chesterfield Township. The woman who owns the van desperately needs it, as she's fighting cancer.
Mike Asher walked out of the garage to mow the lawn Monday when he realized someone had stolen his much-needed handicapped van. Asher said the van must have been stolen between 10 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday.
"They took part of my life away," Asher said.
Colleen Manning and Asher have been together for 30 years, but the last five years have been the toughest.
"I can't get anywhere," Manning said.
Manning is fighting colon cancer and needs a motorized wheelchair and handicapped van to get around, including for trips to her numerous doctor's appointments.
She was stuck at rehab Tuesday, but the nursing home is stepping up to take her home.
"Once I get home, what can you do?" Manning asked. "I can't go visit, go to the store, go to the doctor. I can't do anything."
The van was a 2002 modified blue Dodge Caravan.
Asher works two jobs and just recently paid off the van. The couple is hoping police get lucky or that the thief grows a conscience.
"If people did good for what they do bad, this world would be so much better," Asher said.
"You work so hard to try to live a normal life," Manning said. "As normal as possible."
The van was insured, but Asher said the insurance agent isn't sure how much a new converted handicap van will cost because, in his words, they're in the dark. He said they've never dealt with a handicapped van being stolen.
A new van could cost between $40,000 and $60,000, the couple said.
Anyone who has information is asked to call Chesterfield Township police.
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