We Saved Up For a Year For Our Jeep Cherokee, Only Had It Two Weeks, I Looked Outside and It’s Gone Right Before Christmas

"I looked outside, and it's gone.”

Imagine working hard for a year, saving every penny so that you can buy a used Jeep for you and your two small children. You are thankful you now have a way to get your kids where they need to go, and you love your new-to-you 2016 Jeep Cherokee. It's not new, but it's yours. 

And then the worst thing happens. 

If you've ever had a vehicle stolen, you know the feeling when you look for the car where you had it parked, and it's gone. I know the feeling because it's happened to me twice. I had a Jeep and a Corvette stolen, but it wasn't right before Christmas. 

You get a knot the size of a softball in the pit of your stomach as you realize that someone has stolen your car. Your heart races, your palms are sweaty, and then panic sets in. It's a devastating feeling. 

That happened to Sara Cronin and her family, who live in Montrose Township, Michigan. Sara spoke with ABC 12 in Bay City, Michigan, shortly before Christmas. 

The report says that Sara and her family were stunned when they woke up to find their 2016 Jeep Cherokee was missing from their driveway. It was gone. 

Sara, speaking to ABC 12, recalls the gut-wrenching moment. You can hear the stress in her voice.

She said, "I looked outside, and our car was gone. We are extremely devastated. It's right before Christmas." 

"We waited a year to get this car, so we saved up for a year, and we only had it for two weeks. It was just gone."

You can imagine how Sara felt seeing her car missing from its parked spot. It was her only mode of transportation. She has two young children and has saved up for a year to get a safe vehicle for her young family. The kid's car seats were inside the Jeep. 

The report from ABC 12 says the Jeep's blue and yellow Michigan license plate is (#8PYZ07) and was one of four vehicles targeted by car thieves on the same night.

The Montrose Township Police say cars had been broken into at multiple addresses in the area nearby, with some reporting items stolen from inside.

Sara added: "We are constantly worried now. We installed this little camera and kept it on all night."

"We keep falling in and out of sleep, just watching cars pass by, wondering if they would come back. I have two young children, and this is terrifying."

The sad story continues.

The report says that the family is now struggling to get around the rural area without the Jeep Cherokee. It was their sole means of transportation, and now they have to rely on public transport or the help of friends and neighbors to get to work, school, and other essential places.

Sara added: "I really do need this car. I don't have a means of transportation now, and I don't even have car seats to take my kids with me. It's just heartbreaking."

The police use special cameras to track license plates.

The Montrose Township Police are working tirelessly with the Genesee Auto-Theft Investigation Network to locate Sara's Jeep Cherokee. The police department says that Flock cameras use special tech to spot license plate numbers and will be vital in helping track down the stolen vehicle if it is spotted.

Sara Corrin and her family are distressed by losing the dream car they saved up for. And to make matters worse, it's right before Christmas. 

What can you do to prevent your car from being stolen?

A report from Allstate Insurance gives 11 tips to avoid car theft.

Most of the tips are common sense, but they also share valuable information.

• Lock your doors
• Remove your keys from the vehicle
• Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle
• Close the windows
• Park in well-lit areas
• Install an audible alarm system and anti-theft device
• Install a vehicle immobilizer system
• Install a tracking system
• Don't leave valuables in your car
• Do not leave your vehicle running to warm it up when it's cold unless you are in the car 
• Be alert

What should you do if your car is stolen?

Allstate says, "If your car is stolen, contact the police immediately. The NHTSA says you may need to provide the following information to the police."

• The year, make, model, and color of the car
• License plate number
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

According to the NHTSA, you'll also want to let your insurance company know within 24 hours if your vehicle has been stolen.

Allstate says, "While auto theft is not as common as it once was, it is unfortunately still something you must protect yourself against. Thankfully, taking a few simple precautions may help you reduce the chances of your car being stolen."

There is never a good time to have your car stolen. But having it stolen by car thieves right before the Holidays for Sara and her family is a double whammy. 

Have you had a car stolen? If so, we encourage you to share your story by clicking the red Add New Comment link below. Your experience could help others understand the impact of car theft.

Here is a story of car thief who didn't get away with it and was caught by the owner.

I Found A Thief Locked Inside My C8 Corvette, He Asked, Can I Get Out? No, You Can't Get Out, I'm Calling The Cops. Read how this car thief was caught and apprehended here.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via ABC 12