ATV stolen from child with Down syndrome

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. A 10-year-old boy with Down syndrome was only able to ride his ATV for one day before a group of unknown thieves stole it from his home last Thursday, Lee County deputies said.

Larry Clark’s parents bought him the ATV so he could play like all the other children.

“This is something he enjoys and he can do it right here at the house,” said Shawn Clark, Larry’s father. He made sure his son always rode with his mother while wearing a helmet.

Clark’s parents were cleaning the garage of their home at 311 Roosevelt Ave., but had to leave the vehicle outside for the night, according to deputies.

It was tucked away behind the other vehicles and covered with a tarp. The key was kept inside the house.

But it wasn’t enough to stop the alleged thieves.

Footage from a neighbor’s surveillance camera showed what appeared to be a red Jeep and a two-toned pickup truck were seen leaving the area that night.

“They came off of McArthur along the canal, parked in the grass, walked up our road, grabbed it, pushed it back, put it in the back of a pickup truck and took it home, I guess,” Shawn Clark said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000. The Clarks are also offering a $500 reward if a tip leads to an arrest.