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Samantha Hayes ReportingA simple car burglary has robbed a Bountiful man of his ability to get around. That's because he didn't just lose a radio or a cell phone. An essential attachment for his prosthetic arm was stolen.
Ross Burningham says he feels like his privacy was invaded, and on top of that now he's concerned about his livelihood. A prosthetic arm allows Ross Burningham to earn a living as an electrician. An attachment mechanism allows Ross to grip, pull, and hold things in place. It’s the only one he has.
On September 28th someone broke into his truck. As Ross and his wife were rummaging through the truck looking for the cell phone they noticed the glove compartment was open and a part of his prosthetic arm was missing.
Ross: “I'm basically shut down, you can't drive with the stump of your arm. You can't hold onto anything--eat, shave, brush your teeth, the basics."
Stealing the prosthetic arm is certainly unique, but the act of burglarizing is increasing in Bountiful, an area not known for a high crime rate. In the first nine months of this year there were 209 burglaries. In 2002 there were 143. Police say property crime is a problem and people need to lock their homes and cars. Now Ross Burningham is telling his neighbors that same thing.
Ross: “Oh it makes you sick. You feel like your privacy has been invaded.”
Burningham says Medicare only allows a new prosthesis every two years. His costs--4700 dollars. So although he doubts it will happen, he hopes the attachment will be returned.
