Loved ones rallied around a Santa Monica woman with a debilitating disease Monday after her motorized scooter that was purchased with donations just two weeks ago was stolen overnight.
"I can't believe it," said Rita Payne, who suffers from degenerative disease ataxia, a nerve disorder that causes a failure of muscle control in the arms and legs.
Overnight, a thief entered Rita's apartment garage on 32nd Street and Pico Boulevard and stole her motorized scooter, which gave the retired bartender and hairdresser a little of her independence back.
"Her mobility's getting less and less," said her sister Mary Payne. "She can't walk more than 10 feet. This is the only thing now she can have a little bit of independence."
The garage does not have security cameras so it's unknown who cut the lock and chain off Rita's scooter, which was chained to a pillar.
"I've lived here 35 years," Rita said. "I've never had anything stolen."
Rita's family filed a theft report with Santa Monica police. They're hopeful the thief will reconsider and return her three-wheeled, battery-powered lifeline.
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"Mobility, speech, everything is starting to deteriorate," Mary said. "We'd like to have it back before this thing takes total control over her body."
The family says the scooter would take thousands of dollars to replace. Rita is relying on the police to find leads on the scooter and would like it returned, no questions asked.
"I like to be independent," Rita said. "I don't like to rely on people too much. I like my independence."
