A San Francisco woman is asking for the public’s help to find her beloved stolen van that was her livelihood

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A San Francisco woman is asking for the public’s help in finding her stolen van, a custom-built vehicle that served as both a pandemic lifeline and a unique source of income.

For Missy Thompkins, her 2019 Ram ProMaster van, affectionately named “Crescent Moon,” was more than just a motorhome – it was a labor of love. During the pandemic in 2020, Missy, who works in the beauty industry, was unemployed. She and her father spent six months converting the van into a tiny house on wheels, complete with an outdoor shower and kitchen.

“It’s a really beautiful van and everything was very bespoke. It was a bit like a little hotel on wheels,” Missy said.

But the joy this van brought to others made its theft just before Thanksgiving all the more devastating.

“One day I came home from work and it wasn’t where it was parked,” Missy said. The van sat on Fulton Street near 45th and 46th Avenues next to Golden Gate Park for years without any problems.

Her father described the experience as heartbreaking. “Somehow you have a bad disease; all the work is for nothing,” he said.

Vehicle thefts in San Francisco fell 13% last year compared to the previous four years, according to ABC7’s Neighborhood Safety Tracker. The Richmond district where Missy’s van was stolen has the lowest rate of vehicle thefts in the city over the past 12 months, making the crime a surprise to neighbors.

INTERACTIVE: Take a look at the ABC7 Neighborhood Safety Tracker

“We all look out for each other,” said a neighbor who lives directly across the street from where the van was parked. He and another neighbor said it’s practically a permanent fixture in the area because it’s been there so long.

The San Francisco Police Department has confirmed that the case is an open and active investigation. In the meantime, Missy and her father Mike Thompkins have this plea for SFPD and the community, offering hope.

“I hope they’re out there looking for it,” Mike said. “I hope we get it back somewhat intact and she can move on from here as a learning experience.”

If you have any information about the stolen van, you are asked to contact SFPD.