SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento police are investigating after a Natomas couple had their home burglarized while they were out on a school field trip.
Karen Pollard and Rick Gott love theater and have dedicated more than 25 years of their lives to students in the theater arts program at Natomas Charter School.
“We're at an age where we're teaching our students children,” said Karen.
Over the past 20 years, the couple has been taking their students to Ashland, Oregon for the annual Shakespeare festival.
During the three day trip with 40 students, the couple says their neighbor called to tell them their home was being burglarized.
“When you hear that you've been robbed, you think a TV's gone,” said Karen.
Over the course of three hours Oct. 8, their home was stripped of their clothes, shoes, electronics, laundry baskets, two of Rick’s guitars and even more.
“That doesn't include the teacups, it doesn't include the tax returns, all of our identity stuff,” said Karen. “There's no value on that, but my seven-page list is over $25,000.”
Feeling violated and helpless since their homeowners insurance won’t cover the majority of what was lost, they turned to the community they’ve been part of for years.
“[Karen is] always doing things for others. When a coworker needs something, she's doing meal trains, she's doing whatever she can to give them a hand,” said Sarah Winter, the arts and outreach coordinator for Natomas Charter School.
She, like many others in the community, banded together to help the couple through the difficult time by setting up a GoFundMe.
“We have the most incredible community,” said Karen. “I can't tell you — there is an amazing thing that comes from belonging.”
Anyone with information regarding the burglary is encouraged by officials to contact the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
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