Burglars steal irreplaceable items from 2 homes in Lawndale

LAWNDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A family in Lawndale is trying to still have a happy holiday after thieves broke into their homes and stole items that cannot be replaced.

Surveillance video taken at the home shows two masked, hooded burglars use a crowbar to try and pry open a door.

Brenda Aguero, who lives at the home with her husband and their two sons, said the family was staying at a hotel during the burglary, while their home was sprayed for termites.

"He saw the doors were open but they figured it was the fumigation company that had the doors open," Aguero said.

When Brenda's husband went inside, he took these photos of the ransacked home. The burglars also hit the home next door where Aguero's father-in-law, sister-in-law and nephew live.

Along with game consoles, a laptop and other electronics, the burglars stole jewelry Aguero cannot replace: a diamond ring and two necklaces her mother gave her before she died.

"It was the last thing that I have of her, you know. She's not here anymore, that's the last piece of her that I had of her," she said.

While cleaning up the mess, the family realized the thieves also took spare keys to both their cars, making them feel unsafe and uneasy.

"It was bad enough this happened, but to just constantly keep waiting for something else to happen, that doesn't sit well with me," Aguero said.

Aguero's pleading for her mother's jewelry to be returned and said she would not wish this on anyone, including the burglars themselves.

Friends have set up a gofundme page for the family, while Aguero was doing everything she can to make sure this didn't ruin Christmas for her kids.

"We just have to keep moving forward," she said. "Don't let this get us down, don't let them take this happiness from us."

The family filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department, and detectives said they are investigating this crime.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/aguerofamilyhelp