Robbed of a New Year’s Eve Celebration

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

— Maya Angelou

I am currently working as a circulating nurse in the operating rooms at M Health Fairview University Medical Center on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Since I am now working downtown, it made sense to move closer to work once my current lease was up. I found a cozy basement apartment with a garage space which was just 10 minutes to work. I moved in on December 30th and spent most of December 31st cleaning, organizing and getting settled. At midday I took a drive around the neighborhood, enjoying the people walking on the streets, the cute eateries and bakeries, and historical nature of my new community. I was excited for a fresh start and to explore.

After watching some football, I decided to get the last of my cleaning things from the trunk of my car at 6:30 pm. The garage was detached so I walked out from the back door of the house, down a set of steps to the sidewalk which had a very well-lit street, then on to the garage. When I turned the corner to the garage from the sidewalk, I was startled by a man walking in the street, and then noticed a second person walking father behind him on the other side of the street. I was startled by seeing them because I had not noticed anyone while walking down the steps from the house. I also did not anticipate what happened next.

As I put in the code to open the garage door, the first man was at my side in what seemed like a second. He told me not to scream…he wanted money…my purse…gun to my head…. I looked down and closed my eyes and had my hands over my chest in a protective manner. I kept saying, “I do not have anything.” And “No.” over and over. After more requests and threats from him I handed him my car keys. As he walked towards the front of the car, I began to retreat. The second man told me not to move and to stand still. I repeated my mantra and kept moving, “I am not looking, I do not have anything, NO.” I was able to scoot through the flower bed next to the garage, get back on the sidewalk, and run towards the house. Once I got to the stairs, I looked back and no one was following me, so I rant up the stairs and into the house for safety. I shakily called the police and they responded quickly. After they arrived, I learned my car was stolen.

So, after many tears and phone calls, I was able to take an Uber to my aunt’s house in Bloomington. I only spent one night at the new apartment. I was able to move back into my same apartment in Burnsville on January 4th. It feels a little backwards, but it is also a place of familiarity and comfort.

My landlords, who were not home at the time, were also traumatized by the incident and were gracious and allowed me to give a two week notice and cancelled my initial lease.

My friend Nancy, a nurse in Florida, said she would help me post a Go Fund Me page, but I decided to own it and do it myself. According to actress Mariska Hargitay, “Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.”

So, here I take a step of faith. For me, 2024 has had a very sad and traumatic start. I am blessed to have a rental car though my insurance. I have also had many unexpected expenses in the aftermath of the incident. Some simple things like getting some new cleaning rags and supplies, and having to buy a new winter coat, it is Minnesota after all, because mine was in the car. Additional expenses have been lost wages due to time needed to process and grieve the experience of what had just happen. There were also additional expenses for my second move and paying rent to get back into my old apartment on Maple Island Road.

My car was recovered on January 3rd and was on a police hold. On Thursday, the 11th, I met an officer at the Impound lot in Minneapolis and was able to go see the car and take any my things out of it. The car would not start. The exterior seems okay, but the interior was a mess and smelled like a pot factory. So sad to me, because this was the first new car I had ever purchased and most of you know my propensity for cleanliness. The next step is for the adjuster from Geico to appraise the car and he will let me know from there. The one expense coming up, which feels like adding insult to injury, is that I will have to pay the insurance deductible to get me car fixed, if it is fixable or a total loss.

With a humble heart I ask for any help during this unfortunate time.

With love and gratitude, DM (Dawn Marie)

My friend Nancy From Florida in happier times.

The back of the house and steps.

The sideway to the light blue garage.