THORNTON, Colo. — Friends are rallying around a Thornton man whose car was stolen while he was in the hospital after a medical scare and major surgery.
Rich Armas is a father of two who coaches baseball and is "just a really good dad," said Joshua Abeyta, one of Armas' friends.
"He's a good friend and a good human, and how can you have it worse in such a short amount of time?" Abeyta said.
Abeyta has known Armas for more than half his life. The two are part of a bigger group of friends who call one another brothers.
Armas was rushed to the hospital two weeks ago.
"Was having some really bad abdominal pain, and they took him in," Abeyta said. "Eventually they did operate and removed like a pretty large abscess and part of the intestinal tract – I think about a foot."
While in the hospital, Armas lost something else: His car that was parked in front of his grandparents' house.
"I think your heart sinks," Abeyta said. "You know, it's like the proverbial punch in the gut metaphor. It’s like we’re all so closely connected that we feel each other's pain, ... and happiness and joy. Like when we get a win, we’re all excited but, when we have a loss, we can all feel that."
Abeyta said Armas' family filed a police report for the stolen Kia out of Thornton. In the meantime, they're fundraising to help get Armas back on his feet. So far they've raised about $600.
"I know if I was in the same situation, he would do the same for me," Abeyta said.
Armas is still in the hospital. Abeyta said his friend will need another surgery but is in good spirits.
