Afghanistan War Vet’s Prosthetic Hands Stolen Out of His Car
- Posted on August 12, 2011 at 5:51pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Dr. Daniel McConnell, who lost his right hand serving in Afghanistan, said three prosthetic devices were stolen out of his car over the weekend. (Johnson City Press)
A Tennessee doctor who lost his right hand serving in Afghanistan says a bag containing three of his prosthetic hands was stolen out of his car over the weekend.
Dr. Daniel McConnell, a first year medical resident, told the Johnson City Press he left three prosthetic devices, or hooks, in a bag in his car after having them repaired. At some point during the weekend, he noticed the bag — with a “Wounded Warrior” label on it — was gone, along with his GPS.
“I was less than pleased,” he told the City Press. “I have a very low tolerance for thievery. You can’t justify that. I can see somebody justifying stealing tomatoes because they were hungry and had no money, but when you’re stealing stuff out of people’s cars to pawn and get cash it’s ridiculous.”
McConnell, who has one remaining prosthetic, said he had several devices because of the demands of his job as a doctor.
“Most people don’t need backups, but if I’m in a position where I’m seeing patients and it breaks, I’ve got to have other ones ready to go,” he said. “I don’t usually walk around with a bunch of prosthetic hooks on me, but I just happened to get them all back at once.”
Each of the devices, priced at $3,700 apiece, has a serial number on it, but short of them being found McConnell said he hopes the Department of Veterans Affairs will help get him some replacements.
“I would be thrilled if the bag just randomly showed up at the VA or something, but I don’t really expect that to happen,” he said.
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Comments (59)
santramir
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:05pmhey america, waaaake uuupp, shame on you … you are about to be declared the biggest third world naaaation!!! next time try harder electing the public administrators!!
Report Post »psst
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:03pmIf they catches this person, Soetoro should at least do something right.For once.
Report Post »Call a couple of his people to mete out justice. Cut his hands off.
2ndrevolution
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:51pmFind the perp, spend 50 cents, problem solved.
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 2:28amDon’t you mean $15.50 because of the new ammo tax to make it harder for criminals to steal money to buy more bullets… I mean to make it harder for criminals to buy bullets?
Report Post »Carefreeflyer
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:34pmI hope the thief that stole Dr. McConnell’s prosthetics is caught and punished. Another senseless crime.
Report Post »Son of Freedom
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:46pmwho would do a thing like that i cant believe how sick some people are.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:22pmYes, I agree. But the punishment needs to be specific. I am sure they were stolen because of their value on the black market, and the cash received would surely be used for drugs. If true, then the perp needs to have his HANDS (BOTH of them) cut off, so he realizes just how much prosthetics are needed. Also, so he can break the drug habit. Justice, sure and swift!
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:13pmPeople looking for stuff to get drugs do not give a rip for anyone except their needs. Sad, but true. Sorry for the doc in training-best wishes for his education, and life. AND, thanks, from the bottem of my heart for his service and his sacrifice.
Report Post »I Stand With Israel
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:09pmThe one thing we can all be sure of is that the thug who did this voted for Obama, and will probably do so again. Pray for all of us.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:15pmI agree, and I also think that I have a GREAT idea where those hooks can go. The first one the thief can stick it where the moon don’t shine. The second one can be given to obama and he can put it also where the moon don’t shine. pelosi, reid and the others can flip a coin to determine where the third one goes. I would be willing to bet this doctor would consider the prosthetics put to a good purpose.
Report Post »chickenfried
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 5:00pmThat’s a good idea, holy…you lead the prayer.
Report Post »freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:57pmWow. that is awful! How could anyone in right conscious do that? Justify that?
Report Post »Carol Ingian
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:54pmI am so sorry that Dr. McConnell’s prosthetics were stolen. This is the worst kind of thievery, to steal from a vet! I really hope that crook has maybe the tiniest bit of a conscience, and decides to return them. God bless you Dr., thank you for serving our country.
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:47pmDirtbags……….a dirtbag is a dirtbag is a dirtbag!
Report Post »avenger
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:57pmI hope this piece of **** has the balls to return them….
Report Post »exfire
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:41pmAll I can say is that I hope that the lowlife thief has both hands torn off in some kind of horrible accident….
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:38pmTo call someone who would steal a persons prosthetics a thief is an insult to thieves. This takes the lowest form of life there is. I’m sure that if the story gets out somebody with at least an ounce of decency will turn this pathetic excuse for a human being in! If they are ever able to catch this low life I would hope the legal system has the decency to give this thing the maximum penalty under the law.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:33pmAgreed.
Report Post »discardofevil
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:35pmIt was probably some liberal that thinks he deserved it!
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:34pmThis is vile and disgusting! What would someone want with these devices—the only one would be someone who has the same problem or and idiot who wants to punish a soldier willing to give his life to protect and idiot who has nothing better to do then steal from someone—good luck to the idiot as these are not something but a few very brave people would ever need! God bless this brave man for all he has endured and the idiot deserves to spend a great deal of time in jail when captured!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:29pm.
Report Post »You just know there is a special place in Hell for folks like this…………
trooper
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:28pmStoleer by a black obama supporter with zero question, these street apes will steal anything shinny.
Report Post »drk331
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:21pmThis is just sickening! If the govt cant get him new ones, we should!
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:54pmI agree!! This guy has earned what ever we can do for him. What a waste!!! I don’t think anyone else can really wear those anyway. They are molded to the particular person’s stump so they fit comfortably. I pray the thief grows a conscience.
Report Post »WarriorPitbull
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:21pmI can’t even imagine the lowlife kind of mentality that not only steals, but steals objects such as prosthetics. Must have been a liberal progressive POS that thinks stealing from that BMW is justifiable because he‘s just gotta be some rich guy that doesn’t deserve his money but does deserve to be left without his arms. Probably stole them out of spite. This angers and saddens me to hear.
Report Post »LiberalMarine
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:37pmOh shut the hell up, you don’t know it was a progressive liberal who did that. Jesus, I‘m a progressive and I wouldn’t do that. It‘s crap to make those types of judgements about a whole group of people because someone that hasn’t even been identified did a despicable thing.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:32pmlibmarine
Report Post »Thought that you may be more concerned with the theft of his property. Didn’t know you were regulating speech.
WTF
Redistributor
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:14pmWhen the catch the person(s) who did this they should charge him/her with arm robbery!
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:37pmthis is a sad, sad story, but your one-liner made me laugh!
Is there any way we Blazers could contribute to a fund to replace at least one prosthetic arm?
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:11pmHope they are returned so he doesn’t have to wait on replacements!!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:11pmGOD BLESS YOU, Doctor. I suspect you are going to be amazed at GOD’s continuing care for you, and hopefully, even amazed at HIS care and conviction of the thieves. I hope and I will pray that you get the prostheses back, not only in good condition, but maybe even with a note from the thief apologizing to you. I know. It’s a stretch, but our GOD IS A GOOD GOD, and this may be another “thief on the cross” moment in time.
Report Post »holy ghostbuster
Posted on August 13, 2011 at 7:53amHey KICKAGRANDMA, rather than pray for the return of his prosthetic arm, why don’t you just pray that god heals his amputated limb? Oh, because god hates amputees. http://www.whywontgodhealamputees.com
Report Post »Rob
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:06pmYou don’t leave valuables in a car…period.
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:20pmApparently with your remark because the man left the prosthetics in HIS car, on HIS property, its HIS fault it was stolen, correct? With that same logic its the VICTIMS fault rather then the perps fault on most ever crime committed. He shouldn’t have been there, she shouldn’t have had money, they shouldn’t have displayed their wares in the window. Lets get to the ROOT of the problem, the CRIMINALS. I‘m not saying people shouldn’t be PRUDENT, but because someone lets down their guard on their OWN PROPERTY doesn‘t give someone a right to STEAL someone else’s belongings. So please don’t make remarks that put the blame on the victim because who knows, next time YOU let your guard down it might happen to YOU. When we are All PERFECT and never let ourselves get distracted, tired, forgetful, etc then we won’t have those problems and worries. God bless and have a great evening. “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”
Report Post »WarriorPitbull
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:57pmSpot on GrannyJoJo!
Report Post »2ndrevolution
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:54pmSo it’s the docs fault. You’re kidding right??
Back in the day, a horse theif was hung. Enough said.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:04pmHope the thief returns them, or Veterans Affairs makes good on getting replacements ASAP.
Report Post »ARealCharliesAngel
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:01pmI hope a fund is set up for donations….count me in!
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:00pmThey take God out of schools and put crap on TV and the radio. And your surprised? Hang in there buddy, better things will come to you. Semper Fi.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:11pmAmen to that….
Garbage In – Garbage Out –
Take Religion out of schools – replace it with progressive “YOU OWE ME” philosophy – this is what you get.
Report Post »Glenn in Virginia
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 5:56pmOkay, enquiring minds want to know:
What is some fool thief going to DO with them?
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:23pmGlenn, I’m quite sure either trash them, try to pawn/sell them or just leave them hanging around to play jokes with or tout their thievery by showing what he stole. In any case, there will be justice, the Lord will take care of that in His own way. My prayers are with this young man who had them stolen from him. God bless. “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”
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