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Stockton family, struggling with health problems, has car stolen in Lodi

At just 22-years-old, Dallas Steadman carries the burden of family caretaker. Without the vehicle, that role will become much more difficult.

Dallas Steadman was at a loss for words when he saw his 2001 white Honda CRV stolen right before his eyes.

"I saw that the car was pulling away and I was in shock," said Steadman, sitting on his front porch at his South Stockton home. “Why would someone do this?”

Steadman said his vehicle was parked at Lodi Memorial Hospital last Thursday shortly after 1 p.m. Less than an hour later, when they were leaving, it was gone.

The car is used to take both his mother, Renee, and his grandmother, Joan, who are in wheelchairs, to weekly medical appointments. His mother has the super bacteria bug MRSA. His grandmother is bedridden after having a stroke, an amputated leg and the effects of gangrene.

Steadman also shuttles his younger brother to San Joaquin Delta College for classes daily, shops for groceries and pays bills. At just 22-years-old, he carries the burden of family caretaker.

"I learned how to push through it and try to think it's for the benefit of the family. It's also for the benefit of them being well," said Steadman.

He filed a report with the Lodi Police Department. But, stolen vehicles are a too common occurrence and hard to track down.

"A lot of times [the suspects] go to a different city. And by the time they get to that city [the vehicle] is not yet in our stolen-vehicle system. And even then, if it is, a lot of times they know where to go where they won't be found," said Lodi Police Officer Joseph Hughes.

The family does have a 2001 Ford Windstar van. But, it needs brakes and more, as well as smog and registration. So, for now, the family is left with an empty spot in their driveway and hoping the thieves have a change of heart.

"The car is important to us. We're on a fixed income. We can't afford another car," said Steadman.

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