'That bag is like my life': Just after moving to Winnipeg, woman's bag stolen

Bhaavya Trivedi had just arrived in Winnipeg ready to call the city her new home when a piece of her luggage, carrying all of her most important documents, was stolen.

Now, Bhaavya is asking for the community's help to locate the bag, without which she might not get her permanent residency in Canada.

• Credit card info stolen during break-in at Winnipeg gym

Bhaavya originally came to Canada from India to get her masters degree. She lived in Toronto before moving to Edmonton to finish her schooling last year.

When her brother, Kushagra Trivedi, moved to Winnipeg a month ago to attend the University of Winnipeg he asked her to come live with him to provide family support during his studies.

On Friday, the siblings were finally reunited at the airport but the joy quickly faded when their cab dropped them back at Kushagra's apartment on the 300 block of Balmoral St.

'It was the most important bag'

While bringing Bhaavya's luggage into the apartment building Kushagra looked back to see that one of his sister's bags was gone.

"It was the most important bag. That bag has no cash. It has all my documents," Bhaavya said.

Her passport, social insurance number, birth certificate and all the documents surrounding her education were inside the locked D-shaped, grey-coloured bag.

"All the originals are in there, so that bag is like my life. Without that I cannot do anything," Bhaavya said.

The siblings called 911 and were directed to file a report either at the police station or online. They went into the station but were told officers wouldn't get to the case until Monday, Bhaavya said.

Filled with worry, the siblings contacted the caretaker of their building who was able to provide them with security camera footage of a man taking the bag away from the house.

They posted the photos online with a plea to the public for help.Winnipeg police said they are aware of the theft and are investigating.

'I really want us to stay together'

The siblings'attempts at finding the bag didn't end at the police station. Her first weekend in Winnipeg, Bhaavya and her brother searched all the dumpsters in the area, asked around homeless shelters and stopped into pawn shops hoping for the best.

Unfortunately, the bag still hasn't been located, she said.

"My fear was that that person maybe will sell my stuff like a file or a bag or maybe throw it in the garbage," Bhaavya said.

• Winnipeg woman turns to social media to get stolen rings back

She was supposed to take an exam in Winnipeg this week which is necessary for her to apply for permanent residency, Bhaavya said, but without her passport she can't do it. Her post-graduation work permit expires soon and that could mean she has to leave the country.

"We are not really sleeping," Bhaavya said. "I need help from people."

Kushagra said the siblings aren't looking to lay charges but they just need the bag back, if not they could be separated again.

"If she doesn't get her bag she [won't] be able to stay with me," he said.

"I really want us to stay together."