My heart is broken. Can’t really describe the feeling. All I know is everything is gone.
My dad phoned us in the morning to tell us they broke into our new house. Iaan and I just moved there a week ago and things were still half unpacked. But now EVERYTHING is gone. All electronics, all cameras, all lenses, all my hard drives. Our tv, all my jewelery & engagement ring, some of our kitchen and every single thing in our offices. (except my laptop that I had with me)
At this moment I’m kinda lost for words and my thoughts are all jumbled up. Our new house. Privacy. Security complex. All our stuff. Stuff that’s personal. All our traveling and personal photos. All my photos from my career. Everything I’ve ever worked for. Gone.
Basically I just want to ask, if you see anything that was in my kit or any of my western digital hard drives for sale (or my engagement ring) online or in a cash converters or cash crusaders, please let me know.
Also a R10 000 reward will be paid to anyone that returns my harddrives and data. Please spread the word. Even if they return it anonymous. All hard drives were stored in a plastic see through crate with lime green handles. All hard drives were western digital. +- 15 powered ones (the size of a brick and +- 12 small black ones.
Thank you for everyones prayers and support.
x
Oh I am so sorry to hear this! That is awful. Hopefully you can find some of it.
oh no oh no oh no! That is so so terrible! My heart breaks with you Christine! I will definitely pray that a miracle can come out of this! I am so sorry!!
Christine, that is so awful! I am so sorry for you and Iaan. I cannot imagine how devastated you must feel. Will pass it on.
That’s horrible Christine!!! I hope you get your stuff back! All the best
I’m horrified! I’m so sorry to hear this terrible news!! :( Will pass this along!
OMG! My heart sunk when I read this, it is my worst nightmare and I can’t believe it happened to you 2 :(. My heart is breaking for you and Iaan and I truly pray that all your things are found again and that they caught the people who did this. Big kiss and even bigger hug!
corinnexxx
Christine, I am so so sorry to hear this. It really makes me sad and I hope so much that all the things get returned to you. But I am so glad, that nothing happen to you guys. My husband was the Head Chef in Pretoria’s stadion for the soccer WC and he just missed an armed robbery minutes ago he returned to his accomodation despite all the high security systems they had installed. I know it sounds kind of harsh…but the most important thing is, that you guys were not hurt. Yes, everything else hurts so much too, but it may can replaced over time. Please keep up your positive attitude to humans, life and love. Sending you hugs ♥
Al wat ek kan se is dit is verskriklik. ‘n Mens verwag nie so iets in ons sekuriteitskomplekse, dit is hoekom ons daarin bly. Jammer Iaan en Christine ons sal ook uitkyk al is ons in Gauteng.
Sterkte Christine! Dit is vrek erg, ek hoop regtig julle kry van besittings terug…julle sal in my gebede wees. xx
I am SO very sorry this has happened to you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
In regard to the HDs and electronics… do you by chance have the serial number for that somewhere? Maybe with the insurance company? I know having those will definitely help in possibly finding those items and those are things that can be submitted to the Pawn Shops in the area to keep an eye out for those items. I’m so sorry, just hoping to offer any advice in helping you find these important items.
Again, my thoughts are with you. I truly hope someone is able to help with finding/returning these items.
Sincerely,
Tara
Ag nee christine! My hart breek saam met julle..ons bid en vertrou julle goed word opgespoor of terug besorg! Sterkte in die tyd! Xx
Sterkte!
Ai Christene, dis so hartseer! Het julle al die cash crusaders en so aan gebel om hulle te laat weet hulle moet op die uitkyk wees?
Christine and Iaan, I’m so sorry for you!! No words for you to tell. I will pray for you! Big hug, Inge
I am so very sorry to hear. I will keep a lookout and a pray u find ur stuff.
How awful! Something cannot be replaced with no amount of money! I pray you will find it.
Sending you biggest hugs!
Hi Christine. I have been following your blog for a while and as a fledgling photographer I find your work so inspiring. I am so incredibly sorry with what has just happened, I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it must be. Our house was broken into and my laptop (among other things) was stolen with a whole lot of as yet unedited shots including our honeymoon and I was distraught so I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I really hope that you get lucky and get your prized possessions back and that the new year brings you good things.
I am horrified and can’t believe anyone would do this to you or anybody else. A nightmare come true… I will keep all fingers and toes crossed that you guys get at least some of your stuff back – especially the personal things and all the photos!!! Best of luck, Siegrid xxx
I am sad to read this. It’s the most horrible thing what can happen to a photographer: losing all his work. The rest is just money…
I hope you will get your stuff back and I will help by sharing this blog entry in my Facebook profile.
Good luck!
Danyel
I’ve shared on Facebook, Twitter, G+… I so sorry for your losses….
Oh no so so sorry to hear this! I can’t imagine how horrible it must be for you guys.
Oh my! My thoughts are with you guys and I deeply hope that they will find your things.
Stay strong***
Aggge Neeeee man!!!! Ek is so jammer vir julle! Baie sterkte, hoop regtig waar dat jy jou goedjies terug kry!
Lord Jesus, You know all things, You saw it all happen, it’s not what you wanted but they wouldn’t listen and did what they wanted bringing great grief to Christine and Iaan. Their privacy was invaded and You know how that feels Lord. I thank you Lord For the lives of Iaan and Christine that You spared from this terrible crime comitted to them. Lord Jesus, You said that if we ask the Father anything in Your name that He would do it for us. Abba Father, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ Your only son, that You would work a miracle allowing Iaan and Christine to retreive all theri personal belongings. Thank you so much. I trust You Lord. Amen and so be it!
I work in a computer shop, so will keep an eye out for you. really sorry to hear about this.
Oh no Christine! That is terrible. I hope the irreplaceable things are returned. I will keep an eye out. Sounds like an inside job if you are in a complex? Maybe go down that route – speak to the local community – somebody somewhere will know who did this!
Oh God I am so so sorry, I cannot even begin to imagine how devastated you must be. I pray that you get at least your images and personal things back. How truly awful. (((hugs)))
Hi, I don’t really know you but I saw this linked to on facebook. My car was recently broken into, and my electric guitar stolen. I emailed Cash Crusaders and Cash Convertors and told them about it, including a detailed description of the guitar and the date and location where it was stolen, and within 3 weeks of the theft I had my guitar back. I HIGHLY recommend you draft an email to both chains IMMEDIATELY, supplying them with as much information as you possibly can. Also request that if they get any hard drives in, that they DO NOT format them immediately but rather see if they can discover what is/was on the drive, in case it’s yours.
Good luck.
I am speechless! My heart goes out to you.
Oh Christine, this is such awful news!!! I got goosebumps reading this, I am thinking of you and will definitely keep my eyes open! I hope you have luck in getting your personal and special things back!!
Hey, check out the Cash Crusaders website – they have a system for notifying them of stolen goods that may come their way. We recently retrieved a guitar through this process. If they tell you you will need to pay to get your things back, don’t pay! Just call the police, they will collect your things from whichever branch they’ve arrived at for you.
Good luck!
Dear Christine & Iaan,
We are soooo sorry for what happend!!
You are in our prayers!!!
Dit is baie erg!
Sterkte en ek hoop jy kry alles terug.
Tanya x
Ai Christine, ek so jammer om dit te hoor, maar ek weet presies hoe jy voel, ek en my man was so 3 maande getroud en toe ons een Sondag van die kerk af kom toe het dieselfde met ons gebeur. So jammer en dink aan julle 2!
That’s very sad to hear. I do hope you get your stuff back.
My heart goes out to you and Iaan! Will spread the news!
Christine & Iaan, I am so sorry for you. This is really horrible news and it makes me sad how terrible people can be. Ich denke an euch.
this is just so awfull. fingers crossed they find your things and the people who did this…
So jammer om te hoor Christine en Iaan…. dit moet aaklig voel. We will spread the word! Good luck xxx
This sucks big time!!
I will most certainly keep the eyes and ears open – one never knows who this can resolve
VARKE, dis wat hulle is. Ek hoop die Here stuur n wonderwerk jou kant toe. Dit is n verskriklike, hartverskeurende gevoel wat alle hoop in die goedheid van die mensdom verwoes. Sterkte
Hi Christine, if you have any serial numbers let me know.Sometimes they try to sell equipment to other photographers.
Regards Hennie (SSFD/SCPS)
Oh my god, I am so sorry to read it. I cannot even imagine what you feel right now. I hope you will be able to retrieve anything. Take care guys!!!
xx
ev
Hi Christine. Very sad to hear about all that you’ve lost. Do you have serial numbers for any of these items? If any of the equipment was repaired or serviced recently the service centre should have records of these serial numbers. The same would be true for the Macs. For example Digicape would have a full item history, as long as you could indicate when the item was purchased.
I’ll keep an eye on the online forums and classified sites. Its probably also advisable to send a list of the missing items to Cash Crusaders and Cash Converters. They have a legal obligation to obtain proof of identity/ownership from people wanting to pawn items and notify SAPS if someone is trying to pawn stolen items. It’s a long shot but if they have been advised of the specific items and serial numbers it may help. Since the good in question rare quite high value items I doubt it would be pawned at, for example, Joe’s Corner pawn shop, but more likely a place or service which will offer a higher value.
Fingers crossed and good luck with retrieving your goods.
OMG! I am so sorry to hear this. Will keep my eyes open and spread the news. Fingers crossed…
I can’t believe people like that exist.I am so sorry for both of you and hope and pray that you find your things and the people who did this.
The social network has proven to be amazing in the past-let’s hope it works again.
That is just awful! I’m so sorry Christine, I hope someone finds something for you :(
Hi Christine & Iaan, You don’t know me but you do know a number of my colleagues here in The Netherlands. I saw your post and my god, what a shame. And that at Christmas! But like someone else said, you’re safe and healthy and so is your family- that’s the main thing. I know it offers little consolation at a time of distress like this but you need to draw strength from the things that really do matter the most. No one expects something like this to happen, nonetheless, I sure hope you manage to recover your data and belongings just the same- I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you guys!
Take good care!
Clark
I am so sorry to hear that this has happened to you and Iaan – such awful news. My heart goes out to you both and I hope and pray that your things will be returned to you xx
Dis is sooooo erg Christine!!
Ek bid vir julle alle sterkt en skree as jy enige hulp nodig het.
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