AVENTURA, FL – A seemingly routine trip to the cardiologist turned into a harrowing experience for a 79-year-old woman and her daughter in Aventura. The pair was at a medical center on Tuesday afternoon when their car was stolen right from under them, leaving them shaken and in disbelief.
Hedy Lichtenberg had taken her mother, Betty, for a heart check-up. As they prepared to leave, the unthinkable occurred. “We were ready to go home,” Hedy recounted. “Then, I looked up, and the valet told us, ‘That’s not your car.'”
In a flash, the car was driven away, leaving the two women stunned. Despite the quick recovery of the vehicle, the experience left a lasting impact. “It felt like a violation,” Betty said, still processing the event. “Someone took my property without my consent.”
The incident unfolded in the middle of the day, which added to the shock. “You don’t expect this when you’re simply taking your mom for a medical appointment,” Hedy expressed. She was particularly relieved that her mother wasn’t already in the car when it was stolen, given her mother’s ongoing battle with cancer.
The stolen vehicle was eventually found, albeit damaged. “The headlights were cracked, and there was other damage,” Hedy explained. Despite the car’s condition, the family remained grateful for its return. Unfortunately, there has been no word on whether the perpetrator has been apprehended.
The ordeal, captured on surveillance cameras, resembled a scene from an action movie. “It was like watching a movie, but it was happening to us,” Hedy reflected. The experience was all too real, prompting a mix of fear and relief once the situation settled.
Efforts to reach the Aventura Police Department for an update on the investigation have so far been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the mother and daughter are thankful to have come through the incident unharmed, despite the emotional and material toll it took.
Their story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of vigilance, even in seemingly safe environments. The family, while still recovering from the shock, is grateful for the support they have received from friends and the community.