Calif. Woman's Vehicle And Trailer With Hot Air Ballon Stolen In NM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A California woman wasn't able to honor her late husband at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta after a thief made off with the balloon her daughter planned to pilot.

Police say Lucinda Wallace's hot air balloon was taken sometime early Saturday morning from the Nativo Hotel. The suspect also took a trailer holding the balloon and a Chevrolet Suburban with a California license plate that reads "baluner."

Wallace says daughter Marilyn was going to fly it in memory of her father. Rick Wallace died more than two months ago of cancer.

The balloon is blue with a rainbow design and a U.S. flag on the side.

Meanwhile, the family flew back to their Santa Monica, California, home to get another balloon and drive back to the Fiesta.