A family from out-of-state is searching for a very unique and sentimental item they say was taken in an all-too-familiar crime in Albuquerque.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A family from out-of-state is searching for a very unique and sentimental item they say was taken in an all-too-familiar crime in Albuquerque.
Tammy Blevins says she was traveling from California to Colorado last week to bury her father’s remains and made a stop in Albuquerque at the Best Western on Pan American just off I-25.
When she and her husband went out to their rental car the morning of Thursday, June 25, they were stunned to find it had been broken into and even more shocked when they realized the thieves had taken an urn containing her father’s ashes and some of his medals earned during a distinguished career as a cryptologist in the Navy.
“And I know you’re not supposed to leave valuables in your vehicle, and I take full ownership of that – that we did not take those items out – but I would have never thought that somebody would do that,” said Blevins. “And so, I will own that for the rest of my life.”
Her father, Charles Landrum, later went on to become a teacher after his time in the Navy. He passed away in February at the age of 95.
Now, the family is hoping that the special urn, which is shaped to resemble a pair of cowboy boots, will find its way back to them soon.
“To be honest with you, just to get my father’s urn and his ashes and remains back, that’s the number one priority. If we’re able to recover any of the other items, that would be a bonus,” said Blevins.
Blevins told KOB 4 her father’s wish late in life was to be buried next to his wife in his beloved Colorado. That plan was in motion until the family became the victim of an alleged crime.
“He grew up in Colorado Springs. He had a love of horses for a long time, which eventually went down to me,” said Blevins.
Through all the pain and heartache the last week has brought, there is one thing that has helped the family – an outpouring of support from the people of Albuquerque, offering the family hope.
“So, I want to thank the people of Albuquerque. You guys are appreciated so much, and the family really appreciates you, and we’re very thankful for you,” she said.
While the family continues to hope for a positive end to the story, Blevins has a message for the thieves who took something so precious.
“So, they’ve got somebody pretty special in there. And I hope somebody will do the right thing and turn him in,” she said.
KOB 4 reached out to the Albuquerque Police Department for information on the investigation, but they did not respond to our request.
