Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY – Hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles are stolen in Utah every year. But when one was snatched from the Millcreek area Friday night, it was different.
This wasn’t just Savannah Cummins’ van, it was her home and livelihood.
“It’s like I just got part of my life stolen,” Cummins said. “Everything that I owned and everything that I used to do for my job is now gone.”
Cummins is a professional photographer and climber who does work for magazines and outdoor companies like North Face.
“I kinda travel all around the U.S. and all around the world to photograph climbers,” said Cummins, "which means I have to climb too, a lot of times.”
Cummins owns a custom cargo van, converted into living quarters, which she used to travel the country. She says it was her home for 2 1/2 years.
“My dad and I had actually built out the van, so it was really special to me,” said Cummins.
Late Friday night, Cummins says someone broke into her boyfriend’s minivan at a condo complex near 1100 East and 3300 South. The thief found a spare key to Cummins’ vehicle hidden inside, and from there it was easy to steal the van which was parked nearby.
“(It was) the craziest feeling I’ve ever experienced,” said Cummins. “My heart just sank, like, 'where’s my car? Where’s my house and all of my gear?' It’s gone.”
Cummins says she had $11,000 worth of climbing gear and a camera in the van. In total, she says the van and the gear are worth about $60,000.
She hopes someone will recognize the van, which she says has three solar panels on top, a custom window on the sliding side door and two 6-foot batteries in the back.
“I’m really hoping the community will pull together and keep their eyes out to help me find ... my home,” said Cummins.
Cummins has been living in a condo for the past seven months but still uses the van to travel the country for her job.
Anyone who sees the van is asked to call the Unified Police Department at 801-743-7000.
