Colorado Springs chef searching for tools stolen on Christmas Eve

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Colorado Springs chef is looking to track down his entire livelihood after his fine china, competition knives, and cutting board were stolen from his driveway.

Outside Mike Cotton's home on Institute Street and Vermijo Avenue sits his White 2000 Ford Excursion.

"They took everything out of my truck, everything. It makes you feel unsafe where you live," Cotton said.

After a theft on Christmas Eve, he's left without some of the Christmas gifts he bought his family.

"I was able to buy some gifts but it was hard, a lot of stores are closed Christmas Day. My 4-year-old didn't really understand, he's too young, but the older one, I think it frustrated him because he doesn't even want to talk about it," he said.

But the tools he needs to support his family are also gone.

"[It took] 10 years to collect everything, I'd say everything was valued at about 30 grand. I had to turn down an event because I couldn't do it because of somebody's actions," Cotton said.

After reaching out to the community online, he says he's seen kindness from complete strangers.

"It's a blessing, it's wonderful so God bless those people. They don't know me and they put forth the money they worked for to help me, and that's a priceless thing," he said.

Now he's hoping he can continue his career as a personal chef, without having to start over.

"I don't know if I'll recuperate in the next few years where I was at, but I'm the type that doesn't give up," Cotton said.

Cotton filed a police report, but fears his only hope is that the person will come forward and return his tools.