Heidi Wacker recently gave birth to her second daughter, Remi. But the joyous occasion soon turned stressful when thieves struck in the middle of the night.
“I called Heidi and said, ‘Hey, I have bad news, the car was stolen,’” said her husband, Lucas Wacker, adding that both daughter’s car seats and the couple’s checkbook were also gone. “She thought I was playing a joke on her.”
The Wackers, who both serve in the U.S. Air Force, filed a report with the Anchorage Police Department. They caught a break when the thieves tried to cash checks from the swiped checkbook. The bank called Lucas, who confirmed suspicions that the checks were fraudulent.
Both suspects were caught on camera. Lucas says he made sure APD knew where to get the evidence.
“We have some good possible suspect information, some names and whatnot,” said APD spokesperson Jennifer Castro. “And we’re working with the local bank to get that video surveillance footage so we can look that over.”
Anchorage police are actively working both the theft and forgery cases. Heidi says she just hopes the cream-colored Ford Edge is in one piece once authorities find it.
“If anybody sees my car on the road, call it in,” Heidi said. “Call it in to APD. I know I didn’t have the coolest car in the world, but it was paid for, so that was pretty cool to me.”
The family says if there’s one positive, it’s that they’ve used this as a chance to get to know their neighbors better and have been overwhelmed by support from their friends.
APD says people often think because cars have locks, the items inside will be safe. But Castro says that’s not the case, adding that owners should remember to always take anything valuable out of their vehicles..
Police say having victims like the Wackers, who’ve been proactive in the investigation, is helpful.