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Seffner auto shop helps fix disabled woman's SUV after vandal throws acid on it in Brandon

Posted at 4:01 PM, Nov 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-20 16:21:34-05

SEFFNER, Fla. - A Seffner auto shop is lending a helping hand to fix a disabled woman's SUV after a vandal poured acid on the side of it. 

Precision Collision & Auto Painting in Seffner came across a plea for help after Glenda Banfield found a chemical that removed her paint alongside her Ford Explorer. 

Aurelio Martinez tells ABC Action News when he saw the damage posted online, he knew it wouldn't be a cheap fix. 

RELATED: Acid thrown on disabled woman's SUV at Kmart in Brandon

Banfield was parked in the disabled parking spot at the K-Mart off Brandon Boulevard last week, when she came outside to find her paint bubbling as a chemical ate away the side of her car. 

"I told her, for every bad person -- there's really good people out there," said Martinez. 

Banfield was so excited for the gesture, she said she was up all night and couldn't sleep, "I didn't want to be late, so I got here an hour early."

Banfield tells us she doesn't have much, and that her 2002 Ford Explorer is one of the most important things she owns -- she even brags it has less than 100,000 miles.

Martinez has been in his Seffner location for more than a decade, and says the community has blessed his business, so he wanted to give back. 

He said he is making Banfield's car a priority and will have it done by Thanksgiving.

"I'm very thankful," she said, "very thankful."

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating, but as of now they don't know why Banfield was targeted.