Afula Holocaust Survivor Left Stranded After Mobility Scooter Stolen
Thieves stole a mobility scooter from 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Rina Schwartz in Afula, leaving her stranded. Her family is appealing to the public for help.
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor from Afula has been left stranded after thieves stole her mobility scooter from a locked storage room in her residential building. Rina Schwartz used the vehicle for daily commutes, shopping, and family visits.
The incident occurred during the weekend at a storage unit located at the rear entrance of a building on Kinamon Street. Her son, Moshe Schwartz, stated that the family filed a complaint with the Israel Police and is now appealing to the public for assistance in locating the stolen vehicle.
"This is heartbreaking. The scooter was literally my mother's legs," Moshe Schwartz said, explaining that the secluded location of the storage unit suggests the thieves targeted it deliberately. The family discovered the break-in when Rina's caregiver arrived to find the lock forced open.
For Schwartz, the scooter served as a vital tool for maintaining independence, enabling her to attend senior study programs, run errands, and visit relatives alongside her caregiver. Equipped with a canopy and weather protection, the vehicle allowed her to travel even during rainy winter months.
Adding to the emotional toll, the scooter was a gift from her late husband, Herman, who passed away three years ago. The family urges anyone with information regarding the theft or the whereabouts of the scooter to contact the police immediately.
