KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Northland woman is asking for the public's help to find her high-tech prosthetic arm. A thief stole the arm overnight. It's valued at nearly $130,000.
The crime happened near Northeast 46th Street and North Indiana Avenue.
Martha Carmona, 29, was born without part of her left arm. She's worn a prosthetic since she was five.
About a year ago, Carmona had a job with health insurance and she was able to get a state-of-the art computerized prosthetic, that allowed her to do simple tasks that many would take for granted, like tying your shoes or riding a bicycle. It was even custom-made to match her skin tone.
Monday night when she returned home after a long day, the mother of five took off her arm and forgot that she left it in her minivan.
That's where a crook found it and took it along with her purse, when the thief rifled through her van overnight.
"I really need everybody’s help," Carmona said. "I currently don’t have health insurance anymore so it’s going to be very difficult for me to try to get a new one. I don’t have insurance on the arm as well, so I’m just I don’t know."
Carmona says she feels like part of her has been taken. Without the prosthetic she has back problems. She shifts her weight to the left side because her balance is off.
She doesn't know why anyone would take something that only she can use, and makes such a difference in her life.
Kansas City police are hoping someone can help them find Martha's arm. If you have information about this theft call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477. Up to a $2,000 reward is available for information that leads to an arrest.
