Custom-made bike stolen from child with cerebral palsy in Burbank found, returned

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- A bike stolen from a child with special needs in Burbank was found by a Good Samaritan and returned on Thursday.

Police said the $5,000 custom foot-and-hand-pedal bike was stolen from a parking garage in the 4500 block of Clybourn Avenue Saturday evening.

The bike belonged to 13-year-old Damian Jeffries, who was born premature and with cerebral palsy.

"Who would steal a handicapped kid's bike?" Damian asked Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Burbank police said a Good Samaritan, who'd seen reports of the missing bike, saw it on the side of the road in Silverlake.

She loaded the bike in her vehicle and called police, who returned it to Damian.

Damian's mother Allesha Jeffries said the bike allowed her son to enjoy activities like other children.

"We wanted to make sure he had something to make him, as he says, 'more normal.' I hate the word normal, but normal like all the other kids. To be able to ride and get around," she said.

"It did make me feel like a normal kid because, like almost every kid rides a bike or a skateboard," Damian said.

Investigators said surveillance video captured a thief stealing the bike. Officials are still trying to identify the suspect.

Burbank police said since the bike is so valuable the suspected thief faces grand theft charges.

If you have any information that can help officials identify the suspect, you are urged to call Detective Aaron Kay with the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3210.