Lancaster Police say a 1992 Acura Legend stolen from the 800 block of Hershey Avenue contained a breathing machine that had just been delivered to Miguel Rodriguez, 58, who is being treated for terminal prostate cancer at Lancaster Regional Hospital.
The car belongs to his daughter, Sonia Rodriguez. She said her father has suffered for several months and had recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Doctors say her father requires the device, known as a CPAP machine, to get desperately needed rest from cancer treatment.

"He hasn't been able to sleep for about a year, and doctors just finally diagnosed his problem," Ms. Rodriguez said. "He stops breathing 87 times per hour."

The CPAP machine, which creates continuous positive airway pressure so that it can get past the obstructions in the mouth and throat, costs about $1,000, Ms. Rodriguez said.

She said the machine was covered by medical insurance, but the coverage will not pay for a replacement model.

"He just got (the machine), and I was bringing it to my house because I was going to let him stay and teach him how to use it," Ms. Rodriguez said. "Now he doesn't have it, and I don't know what to do."

Her father is scheduled to be released from the hospital this weekend.

She said her car is a secondary consideration and hopes her father's condition will compel the thief to return the breathing machine.

"I was hoping if somebody decent hears about this that they'll return it," she said. "I want my car back, but I'd rather have the machine before my car."

Anyone with information about the stolen champagne-colored 1992 Acura Legend can contact Lancaster Police at 735-3300.