The theft and burning of his car proved too much for a Tolland resident, who landed in the hospital due to the overwhelming stress.
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Joseph Manfred had bought a second-hand ute just six weeks before thieves targeted him, a car he had worked hard to purchase.
"I got up on Tuesday morning and let the animals out," he said. "I looked around, and there was no car."
Mr Manfred suffers from a heart condition that is exacerbated in stressful situations.
"I was in the hospital for a few hours," he said.
"The car was meant to be a family car to make it easy for us to get around."
Mr Manfred has not been able to find his car keys, leaving him worried the thieves broke into the house without him knowing.
His partner, Annette Roberts, said her six-year-old was distraught when they found the burnt-out husk of the ute.
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"She cried for three hours that afternoon,' Ms Roberts said. "She also lost some of her toys and items.
"Things that are little, but a six-year-old does not understand."
While losing the car has been an upsetting situation for the pair, the support from both close friends and strangers on social media has been overwhelming.
"We just want to thank everyone," Ms Roberts said.
"Everyone has been supportive."
Mr Manfred said he wants to see more activities for younger people introduced to get them off the streets and more engaged in the community.
Ms Roberts added it was unfair that hardworking people were being targeted.
"They're the ones who have to pay for the damages," she said.