SHELBY, N.C. -- A Shelby couple is desparate to get back a Mac desktop computer after it was stolen in an afternoon break-in.
However, they say the computer itself wasn't the most valuable, but what was on it could be irreplaceable.
"I literally gasped and went oh my God the computer," said Denise Greenway.
Denise said she and her husband Steven left for no more than an hour. When they returned, the found the deadbolt on their back door broken and their IMac G5 gone.
"Here is a mouse, this is what's left," Steven said holding a mouse and a cable.
Steven, an artist and designer, had been working on the Mac in his kitchen so his creative juices could flow. His latest project was very personal.
"I just need the files back," he declared. "If I were talking to the thieves, I would say just drop them off, I will turn my back."
T
hose files contain a book titled "SNAFU," written by Steven's best friend Tom Haines. Haines is now disabled from Agent Orange exposure and this book was his account of life during the Vietnam War.
"It's his life in 'Nam and the idiosyncrasies and the tragedy and humor that happened in Vietnam during that time," Steven explained.
Steven was tasked to do all the artwork and illustrations for the book, including images of dog tags to honor fallen soldiers and the cover design. Now that is all gone.
"I'm feeling like a dog, I mean how would you feel, when someone comes in and takes a man's life's work away from me when it had been entrusted in me," he explained.
The thieves also took a big screen TV the Greenway's received as an anniversary gift from their children back in February.
"It is just not how I anticipated living my life right now," said Denise.
She says they are living in fear and looking to install security cameras at their home. Denise says after battling ovarian cancer since 2008 and enduring dozens of surgeries, she didn't think she would lose her sense of safety in her home.
"Because I've had to fight so hard and because I don't ever give on anything, especially my faith or family or support, I feel like I'm being cheated. I'm having things taken away from me that shouldn't," she said.
The Greenway's have checked out several pawn shops in the area. So far nothing has turned up. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact them.
Copyright 2016 WCNC
