Stolen van recovered, but badly damaged in crash: Wheelchair that was inside is missing



MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee woman's van was stolen, with something even more important inside-- her wheelchair.

Police say they've been able to recover some evidence in this case, and they're hoping that helps to bring the thief or thieves to justice.

Police say the theft occurred between December 19th at 11:00 a.m. and December 20th at 5:00 a.m. The van was taken by suspect(s) damaging the ignition to start the vehicle.

The woman's 1999 Dodge Caravan turned up at the City of Milwaukee's Tow Lot after it was recovered on December 21st. When she went to retrieve it, she learned it had been badly damages in a crash, and her wheelchair that was inside the van was missing.

Kathlyn Sublett's stolen Dodge Caravan



Kathlyn Sublett already deals with physical pain. December 20th brought emotional anguish.

On that day, Sublett wondered why her aide hadn't shown up.

"I looked up and it said 5 after 12 and I said 'hmmm,'" Sublett said.

She then gave her aide a call.

"She said 'you were gone.' I said 'gone where?' She said 'your van was gone.' I said 'I`m here. I just woke up,'" Sublett said.

She then realized her van was indeed missing from the lot at her home on the city's west side.

Kathlyn Sublett's parking lot



Sublett went to police, who told her the van had been recovered and was at the City of Milwaukee's Tow Lot.

When she learned the van had been involved in a crash, Sublett said she had her aide check it out first.

"She was trying to get me to go back there. I said 'nope. I don`t wanna go back there and see Tootie. That`s the name of my van, Tootie,'" Sublett said.

When Sublett's aide returned with pictures showing obvious damage and a rear hatch that no longer contained her wheelchair, Sublett was crushed.

Kathlyn Sublett's stolen Dodge Caravan



"I didn`t wanna see. They had messed her up so bad and my wheelchair and everything was gone. My doctor is gonna be so upset. It took us over a year to get the wheelchair," Sublett said.

Kathlyn Sublett's walker



While she can get around with her walker, Sublett says she still needs that wheelchair -- especially with snow and ice on the ground.

"I`m doing the best I can -- so I don`t know," Sublett said.

Kathlyn Sublett



Sublett has a message for whomever stole her van.

"You know what? I hope none of your family ends up like this here. I just hope don`t none of your family end up like this," Sublett said.

Police say the wheelchair has an estimated value of about $500.

Investigators were able to recover fingerprints from the van and are hopeful that will help them develop suspects.