AURORA, Colorado – People watching Denver7 make a difference – just ask the Merithew family in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Aaron and Cheyanne Merithew drove 800 miles to Aurora last week so their 4-year-old son Landon could receive critical medical treatment for his cerebral palsy-related joint pain in children’s hospital.
Before they could return home, thieves stole their pickup truck, a 2000 Ford F-350.
The family reached out to Contact7 for assistance, and after sharing their story about Denver7, a security officer spotted the couple’s pickup behind an apartment complex at 146 Delmar Circle.
He called the police and they called John’s towing service.
David Messmer posted on our Facebook page that he had towed the pickup truck to a confiscated lot.
That’s how the Merithews found out that their 2000 Ford F-350 had been recovered.
“I was thrilled they actually found it,” Aaron Merithew said. “Then it poured into my head – what’s missing?”
“I was shaking. I was crying. I was just so excited, as you can see,” Cheyanne said. “Landon was also very excited when he found out this morning.”
The Merithews are amazed by the abundance of support from those willing to help. One of them owned a semi that Aaron worked as a diesel mechanic.
“He made the comment that basically ‘If I have to buy you a car to get around …’ and Aaron thought no, that’s not necessary,” Cheyanne said. “The next morning we woke up and he called Aaron and said, ‘I’m on my way to get you, I bought you a car.’ And we were like, “What? What?” Our reaction was just shock. “
Many others have contributed money to help pay for the expenses.
The Merithews said their truck needs some repair.
Cheyanne said the door lock and ignition system were compromised.
She said Landon’s child seat is still there, but they don’t know if all the tools are.
“Landon absolutely loves this truck,” Cheyanne said. “It’s his truck. It’s literally been called Landon’s truck for a long time. I don’t know if it’s the diesel engine, or the bounce, or both, but we’ve never heard him laugh more than on the way to Colorado.”
The family is grateful that their negative experiences are taking a positive turn here.
“There is still a lot more good than bad,” Aaron said. “Evil just hits harder.”
But in this case, evil is overcome by a wave of goodwill.