x
Breaking News
More () »

'It's literally been a nightmare': Adrian business owner temporarily closing store after thief stole, crashed her vehicle

Theresa Posten said she decided to temporarily close Save n Swap to care for her mental health and safety since the store is next to her house.

TOLEDO, Ohio — In the near decade that Theresa Posten has owned her store Save n Swap, a non-profit on Bailey Highway in Adrian, she said she never could have imagined the events that led her to temporarily close her store.

She said it all began last when her 15-year-old son woke her up in the middle of the night about her vehicle being taken from her driveway and driven down the road.

"It's literally been a nightmare," Posten said.

"Ransacked my son's car and then stole my truck from my driveway and then drove it all the way and crashed it into a semi," she added.

RELATED: Police: 14-year-old bicyclist in Adrian critically injured in hit-skip

The incident left her feeling unsafe and she needs to take time to care for her mental health, so she temporarily closed her store, which is located next to her house.

"I can't welcome people into my space right now," Posten said. "I don't feel safe and how can I keep them safe and there's just too much, I need to take a break."

She said it was an unexpected incident since she lives in an area with low traffic. But, it gave her a reality check that events like these can still happen.

"It's random which feels better, oddly, but it's still very, very scary because then it's random," Posten said.

RELATED: Lucas County Sheriff's Office looking for 2 suspects accused in vehicle theft

While she said she needs a break, she worries for the people and families who rely on her business for free clothes and other necessities.

"It's back to school time, they need me right now, this is literally the worst time he could have picked," Posten said. "This is the busiest time. I help the most people right now I have to turn away every message that I get and thousands, that hurts my heart but I can't be here for them, I need to be here for me."

She said she filed a police report with the Michigan State Police and her car was recovered.

MSP told WTOL 11 that an officer responded to a call at 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 6, where a man had stolen three separate vehicles and crashed them all before being taken into custody.

Police were unable to confirm whether one of the vehicles stolen by the suspect was Posten's.

MORE LOCAL HEADLINES FROM WTOL 11:

Before You Leave, Check This Out