The kayak trip the Jannenga family planned for this weekend is canceled.
Canceled because, while they were sleeping Wednesday night thieves snuck onto their Lowell property and took all five of their kayaks and the trailer they were strapped onto.
“We left them on the trailer to use this weekend,” says Nate Jannenga.
“Now they are gone,” adds his wife, Jane.
The Jannengas say they invested in the kayaks a few years ago for family outings on nearby rivers and lakes.
They say the loss is especially disappointing because their three children, ages 10, 13 and 15, pooled their own money together to buy the kayaks.
“I had a bunch of birthday money and first communion money,” explains 13-year-old Nolan. “It was just after my brother’s first communion so he had money from family. Nora’s was birthday money as well,” he says, pointing to his 15-year-old sister.
The family says the kayaks will be difficult to replace.
“Complete shock,” says Nate. “This just doesn't happen in Lowell. I mean, it happens everywhere but it is definitely not the Lowell way.”
Between social and mainstream media and word of mouth, the family and police are hoping they will get some tips or clues about the thieves. But the family say deputies have told them the chances they will get their kayaks back are small.
“I’m just hoping to gather up enough money to buy myself a new kayak,” says Nolan.
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