Afghanistan

Military Widow's Car, Mementos Stolen in Dallas

A military widow is heartbroken after someone stole her rental car containing items belonging to her late husband.

Jane Horton says she has dedicated her life to serving families of fallen soldiers since her husband, Spc. Chris Horton, was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.

“It’s consumed me," she said. "It’s become the greatest part of me to serve those that have given their lives and make sure their families are taken care of."

This week, Horton was in Dallas to attend a military initiative at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum when her rental car was stolen from Greenville Avenue.

“I know the people who took the car didn’t know, but it’s pretty heartbreaking," Horton said. "I’m pretty broken right now. I’m very upset."

Horton said she’d gone to a dinner at Ozona Bar and Grille and parked her car with valet.

A few hours into the dinner, a waitress approached her.

“I went back and they were like, nonchalantly, 'You’re car’s been stolen.' I was like, 'What?'” Horton said.

Horton said she hadn’t gone to the hotel yet, so inside the car were all of her belongings, including special items from the time her husband, a sniper, was at war.

“All my luggage and belongings and some personal items I’d brought of my husband’s to possibly give to the president and some other people,” she said.

Horton said also stolen was a very special necklace and earrings her husband had given to her around the time he proposed.

James Monroe, the manager of the company in charge of Horton’s rental car, said he believes crooks grabbed keys and stole two cars when his Superlative Valet employees were busy. One was recovered, but Horton’s was not.

Monroe said he’s working with police on the case and told NBC 5 he’d offer to help replace some of Horton’s items. The manager at Ozona said he is working with police to recover surveillance video of the theft.

The restaurant and Superlative Valet are offering a $3,000 reward for the return of Horton’s items.

Monroe added that there will no questions asked if the cherished belongings are returned to his company’s headquarters in Arlington or to Ozona Bar and Grille.

Horton pleaded that the thieves “please give me my stuff back." 

“It’s absolutely deplorable to take anyone’s belongings, but mine are very special to me and they mean the world to me," she said. "Nothing will ever bring back the loss of my husband, but it would be really nice to have something of the things he’d given me.”

NBC 5's Bianca Castro contributed to this report.

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