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Home Depot Donates New Lawn Mower to Feisty Odessa Grandma Who Fought Off Thieves

We have an update for you on the feisty Odessa grandmother who fought back against some thieves. They tried to steal her lawn mower. The woman was hurt trying to stop the theft and her lawnmower left broken, but on Tuesday one major company stepped in to help her out.
By Geena Martinez
NewsWest 9

ODESSA - We have an update for you on the feisty Odessa grandmother who fought back against some thieves.

They tried to steal her lawn mower. The woman was hurt trying to stop the theft and her lawnmower left broken, but on Tuesday one major company stepped in to help her out.

The folks at Home Depot heard about our story and decided to donate a brand new lawnmower to Raquel Pineda.

"I just managed to grab on to it and I said this little old granny ain't gonna turn it loose," Raquel said.

The 63-year-old didn't back down when three thieves tried to take off with her lawn mower. Raquel managed to hang on while the suspects drove off and dragged her for 25 feet.

She lost a tooth and ended up with a cuts and bruises. The lawnmower is also broken but that's where Home Depot stepped in.

An employee from a store in North Carolina heard Raquel's story and contacted the Odessa store.

"They were all outraged and everybody was extremely willing to help donate what they had," Genie O'Neill, an Odessa Home Depot associate, said.

NewsWest 9 was there when Home Depot brought Raquel some good news.

"It's one of the better ones we have, self propelled, really nice one for her," O'Neill said.

Employees also gave Raquel a gift card since the attempted theft tore up her shoes. The surprise didn't end there. Monarch Dental stepped in and is offering Raquel a free exam and x-ray.

"I've just been praying and I said I'd even settle for a used lawnmower if somebody would help me with a used lawnmower and I just couldn't believe that this was happening," Raquel said. "Thank you so very much. Thank you and God bless you."

"It was awesome," O'Neill said. "Made me feel really good. I was very happy that she was super excited and it was just an overwhelming feeling. It almost made me cry."

Raquel said despite what happened, she's blessed to know there are still good people out there. However, don't let the tears fool you.The feisty grandma said she has a message for any more thieves who come to her house.

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