YARMOUTH – A disabled US Marine combat veteran is thanking the community for their support after he and his family had their belongings stolen while on vacation at the Cape Cod Inflatable Park in Yarmouth on Wednesday.
Robert Watson and his wife were at the park with their kids when they befriended a man and his son.
Watson and his wife left their belongings for a few minutes while taking their children to a nearby slide, but when they returned, the man was gone and their belongings were taken.
“It was an unbelievable thing, you always think that it couldn’t happen to you and then when it does, your heart just sinks, you don’t know what to do, you’re lost,” said Watson.
Inside the beach bag were both of their wallets, cash, identification cards and bank cards.
Watson’s military identification cards, health care and veterans’ affairs cards were also taken.
The park gave the family $100 to help them with their expenditures and accommodations.
After completing their report, Yarmouth Police, including Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos, reached out to the family.
The family received money from the Yarmouth Police Department, courtesy of the US Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund at Citizens Bank.
“He made sure I was taken care of, they put me in a hotel free of charge, they had restaurants wanting me to come and eat for free, anything I wanted, to make sure that my stay was pleasant,” said Watson. “I’m not going to lie, once my stuff was stolen, I had the nastiest taste in my mouth for that place.”
Watson said he appreciating the outpouring of support from the community when his family was in need.
“The community is so sweet, everybody did everything, once they heard the story, they can see my face in the news, they’re coming up and giving me money out of their pocket,” said Watson. “I’m so grateful. I want to thank everybody and they’ll always have a place in my heart.”
The family left on Friday on their way back home to Jacksonville, North Carolina.
It was the family’s first vacation to Cape Cod, but because of the hospitality and support they received from the community, it won’t be the last.
Watson said that they intend to return next month in time for Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen on July 24.
“You always hear stories about how it’s not the same up north like it is down south, you don’t have that southern hospitality,” said Watson. “Well you know what? They’re wrong. They’re really wrong.”
Yarmouth Police said that they expect to have more information about a possible suspect soon.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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