CCPD officers help replace stolen bike for teen

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CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Cape Coral police surprised a 13-year-old boy whose bicycle was stolen with a new set of wheels on Friday.

Jonathan Yater was riding his bike when he was hit by a car in March. Although his injuries were minor, the driver who hit the teen bought him a new bicycle. Yater’s new bike was stolen just about a week later.

“The kid said ‘let me see your bike, I want to do a trick’ and he took off and took the bike. I was disgusted,” said Cpl. Raymond Schilke III with CCPD. “I saw this as my chance to be… I guess  a champion for the little guy.”

As part of the surprise, Schilke picked up the teen from his house on Friday so they could cruise around town looking for the stolen bike. Then a call came over the radio.

“Can I get you to come down to 2827 Santa Barbara Blvd South? I have a bike I want you to look at.”

Officers say Yater’s bicycle had actually been previously found in a lake and was no longer in good condition. So, the officers decided to take Yater to Hollywood Bicycle Center and let him pick a new set of wheels.

“It was hard to keep it a secret because I knew yesterday, but I didn’t want to tell him,” said Tammy Yater, the teen’s mom.

The boy who stole Yater’s bike is only 12 years old, authorities said. He was detained Thursday and taken to jail.

 

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