National Guardsman returns from overseas to find home burglarized

PHOENIX - A National Guardsman returning home from overseas finds his apartment burglarized.

Sgt. Ed Balaban spent three weeks in Kazakhstan and was notified by his apartment complex of the break-in. 

The burglary happened earlier this month at an apartment complex near 64th Street and Thomas Road. The suspects broke in through the front door and took a TV, iPod, camera, and a watch.

“Those are just material items.  It’s the stuff that had meaning that hurts the most,” said Sgt. Balaban.

He’s talking about his high school class ring.

“I was in the class of ’69.  The class of the century,” said Balaban.

But the most devastating item taken was a PT Bow Tie that was given to him by President John F. Kennedy. 

“I wrote him a letter saying that I wanted one.  It was still in the same package with the letter from the President’s secretary telling me the President wanted my to have it,” said Balaban.

The burglars also took a 9/11 pin he received after helping in the recovery efforts. 

The break-in happened in broad daylight.