Archive · 26 Sep 2026
California Sailor Finds Apartment Ransacked After 10-Month Deployment
Connor Nelson came home to California after serving at sea for 10 months.
He expected to relax after returning from his deployment.
Instead, he found that his SUV was gone.
His apartment had also been searched and many belongings were missing.
The stolen items included sports equipment, electronics, shoes and a hockey jersey.
Nelson does not know exactly when the burglary happened.
Police are investigating the case.
His father started a fundraiser to help replace the missing items.
Connor Nelson returned to his California apartment after a 10-month deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
He found his 1997 Toyota 4Runner missing and his apartment ransacked.
Reportedly stolen belongings included a snowboard, golf clubs, fishing equipment, electronics, shoes and a hockey jersey.
Nelson does not know when the burglary occurred; his SUV may have been gone for two or three months.
Police are investigating, while Nelson’s father started a fundraiser that raised differing reported amounts.
- Who
- Navy sailor Connor Nelson; his father, Justin Nelson, later started a fundraiser.
- What
- Nelson returned from deployment and discovered that his apartment had been burglarized and his 1997 Toyota 4Runner stolen.
- When
- Nelson returned on a Sunday after a 10-month deployment; the exact time of the burglary is unknown.
- Where
- Nelson’s apartment in Lemoore, California.
- Why
- The reason for the burglary is not known; it occurred while Nelson was away on deployment.
- Deployment
- About 10 months aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln
- Vehicle
- 1997 Toyota 4Runner
- Reported missing items
- A snowboard, golf clubs, fishing equipment, laptop, television, sound bar, shoes and hockey jersey
- Possible theft period
- The SUV may have been missing for two or three months before Nelson returned
- Investigation
- The case was reported to police and remains under investigation
- Fundraiser
- Justin Nelson started an online fundraiser to help cover the losses
- Fundraiser totals
- CBS Minnesota reported more than $20,000 by September 25, while an earlier local report said it had exceeded $6,000 within days
- Deployment details
- The USS Abraham Lincoln spent more than nine months in the Middle East, including 250 consecutive days at sea