A Springs woman is asking for help to get priceless family heirlooms back. They were stolen from her home on Richards Avenue, and it's part of a rash of break-ins that have happened in southwest Colorado Springs.

Kathy Steadman left her lights on when she left her home this week. The doors and windows were locked, but crooks still broke in, shattering a sliding glass window.

"My bedroom, which I'm still going through, my bed was completely tore up,” Kathy Steadman said. “They took a pillowcase to carry everything in."

She's cleaning up their mess one room at a time, but the bad guys took things she can't replace, including her late husband's ring.

“It's very high sentimental value," Steadman said. "I miss him, and that's what I had to remember him by."

She thinks police are doing their best, but "it takes a community to raise a child...it may take a community to save our community,” Steadman said.

Her neighbors agree and plan on keeping a close eye on other homes.

"Absolutely, our neighbors have always been really supportive--and always looked out for each other,” Brook Bhagat said.

Neighbors told 11 News 10 homes in the area have been broken into in just the last few weeks. They hope the crooks are caught quickly.

If you know anything about this crime or other break-ins in the area, call police or Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP (7867).