New Jersey Family's Car Stolen Days Before Daughter's Synchro Skating Competition

Stolen Car and Critical Equipment

• 🚗 A family in Bloomfield, New Jersey, had their BMW stolen from their driveway last weekend.
• ⛸️ The car contained the skates and equipment of 13-year-old synchronized skater Lea Malone, who was days away from a competition to qualify for nationals.
• 🎻 Lea's brother's $5,000 cello was also stolen from the vehicle.

Impact on Competition and Practice

• ⏱️ Lea faces a challenge breaking in a new, $1,000 pair of skates in the limited time before her competition, as it typically takes 10-13 hours.
• 😥 The theft caused significant distress, with Lea being inconsolable for over an hour.
• 🎯 Despite the setback, Lea remains determined to skate hard and make the most of her practice time.

Plea for Empathy and Recovery

• 💔 The family is distraught not just about the car, but the irreplaceable items and the impact on Lea's competition.
• 🙏 Lea expressed hope that the person who stole the vehicle could understand the value of the stolen items to her.
• 🎤 Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang covered the story, highlighting the family's plight and Lea's resilience.