SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- U.S. pairs figure skater Marissa Castelli described the moment she realized her rental SUV was broken into as "sheer panic."
Her carry-on suitcase was stolen. Inside it were her custom skates and hand-crafted performance costumes. Each dress cost about $1,000 to make. They are priceless in emotional value. "Without them, I am just incomplete. At first I was just like, 'Oh my God, this is the worst thing that could possibly happen to me," Castelli said.
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The theft took place at some point between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday evening. The SUV was parked at Webster and Post in Japantown while Castelli went to a restaurant for ramen. Castelli immediately called SFPD, then had to leave for a flight back to Montreal where she trains with her partner. Police confirm they are investigating.
The break-in came just hours after Chief Bill Scott announced a new plan to combat property crime. Chief Scott says last year more than 30,000 autos were burglarized in San Francisco. Now, officers will be dedicated specifically to investigating property crime.
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Castelli hopes the thief will realize the skating dresses have emotional value to her but little retail value to anyone else.