NEW YORK, March 25 (UPI) -- Two New York women who were out of town when a collapsing crane destroyed their apartment returned to find prized possessions stolen.
"Obviously, we're happy we're alive but when there's a tragedy such as this, people are supposed to look out for each other, not take advantage," Jennifer Battistello told the New York Post.
Battistello and her roommate, Eileen Hayes, said that they lost items valued at $80,000. They include two laptop computers, a camera and jewelry, including family heirlooms.
Seven people were killed when the huge crane, being used for the construction of a new building, came loose March 15 and crashed. The crane struck the building where Hayes and Battistello rented an apartment on the 19th floor and came down on a brownstone.
The women were allowed into their apartment last week to survey the damage and retrieve possessions.
"I went to my dresser, which was fully intact. The top drawer with all my jewelry was missing," Hayes said.
The women did not have insurance, although the landlord has returned their security department and March rent. They are now sleeping on friends' couches.
