GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) —An elderly couple said a burglar took off with their wedding rings, along with thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, from their Glendale home earlier this week.

Marciano and Selfa Santiago, both 72, were married seven years ago after they lost their first spouses.

The couple said they came home from church Wednesday night and found a stranger running out of their front door with a safe.

The Santiago’s said the suspect, who wore a dark-colored sweatshirt and pants, dropped the safe in the driveway and fled in a sedan.

The pair realized, however, that the damage had already been done inside their ransacked residence.

“Wedding ring, my engagement ring, my gold broach, and necklaces (were taken),” said Selfa.

The Santiago’s said they took off their rings earlier in the day to clean the house.

“Naked, I feel naked (without my ring),” said Selfa.

The couple plans to install an alarm system and eventually replace the rings, but said there’s no rush.

“The wedding ring is a symbol of love, but love is not in the ring. It’s in (the heart),” said Marciano.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department.