We've been hearing a lot lately about burglaries, thefts and armed robberies. If you become a victim, is there help available?

There is help for folks in Douglas County in the form of a victim assistance program paid for with a federal grant. In Iowa, it's a state-funded program available to any crime victim in the state.

As one man just found out, it's all too easy to become a victim. "This is where the trailer was sitting, locked up," says Keith Knop. "We're thinking they just had to back up here, hook onto it."

With that, not only was Knop's 22-foot long trailer gone from Shelby, Iowa, but inside of it is what fuels his passion. "The race car is purple and white. It's a terminator chassis which is a professional built chassis out of Boone, Iowa," says Knop.

"It was our heart and soul and our work that we put into this and it's really disappointing that somebody would do that." The trailer and everything inside adds up to about $20,000.

"There's generators, air compressors, angle grinders, a tool box full of wrenches and sockets," describes Knop. Much of it is not covered by insurance.

"It's mind blowing that someone would just pull up in your driveway, right here in town and just drive off with it."

From the small towns like Shelby to the metro area, crimes are never victimless. In Douglas County, that's where the Victim Assistance Unit comes in to help.

"We get a lot of phone calls from victims that need assistance," says director Ana Eckersley. "We help with protection orders, with filing warrants, with any court proceedings."

Eckersley tells Channel 6 News no crime is too small or big and that about 500 people receive help each month. "There is victim assistance that if they have any questions or even a simple question, call and ask and we try to help them the best we can."

The unit can also refer victims to counselors or groups that can help financially. For example, if you were robbed of your rent money. The Victim Assistance Unit may be reached at (402) 444-4597.

As for Knop, he tells Channel 6 News there are no leads so far. The trailer and race car were stolen sometime between February 5th and 7th. Knop hopes someone might have seen his trailer on the road and can call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department with any information.