Stolen Golf Cart Broken But Returned

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Mary Romeo was all smiles Thursday morning after the call her stolen golf cart had been found just before midnight by JSO -- abandoned -- about two miles from her Westside home.

The golf cart thieves had already started painting the cart with a gray primer to disguise it, but apparently abandoned their plans after news reports had thousands looking for the cart.

"That's the best toy I ever had!" beamed Romeo as she first saw her beloved cart on the lot at Walt's towing.

It was spotted before midnight by a JSO officer at the intersection of Nelson and Delwood Streets.

The bad news is, the thieves broke the cart. It no longer runs. Mechanics at Walt's Towing replaced a main electrical component, but were unsuccessful in trying to fix the cart before Mary's arrival.

"I don't know. I'll have to try to get it fixed! Somehow," said Romeo, who quickly broke into a wide grin.

"It sure looks good!" she exclaimed.

Then the folks at Walt's delivered Mary's cart back home to her driveway, free of charge.

After our story aired Wednesday, dozens of calls and emails flooded First Coast News with offers to help. There were even two offers to give Mary a replacement cart.

One viewer even started a website: www.golfcart4mary.com to raise funds for a new cart.

When it was learned her old cart was broken, a couple from Putnam County called to say they will deliver a replacement cart in the morning.

And Mary Romeo is grateful for everyone who offered to help.

"I can't thank them enough! And it renews my faith in people that there's bad...but there's still a lot of good people out there, and I appreciate everything that everyone has done!"