Suspects Sought In Bike Theft From Special Needs Girl

MARINA DEL REY (CBSLA.com) — Detectives Wednesday were seeking the public's help in recovering a stolen bike that was custom made for a 12-year-old special needs girl.

"It was heartbreaking, it was really sad," said the girl's mother, Yolanda Rangel. Her daughter, Mia, has autism, is non-verbal and has been through many challenges in her young life. "Who does that?! And you can tell, you can tell it was a bike for a special needs person."

Surveillance video captured two men stealing the electric powered, tandem bicycle on Nov. 30 from the Marina City Club Condominium complex in the 4200 block of Marina City Drive, Los Angeles police said.

The bicycle, which is fire orange in color, was donated to the girl by the Make a Wish Foundation, and was worth $3,000 to $5,000, according to Det. Keysha Gipson.

"It was very sentimental to her because she can't ride a normal bike," Gipson added.

Anyone with information on the suspects or bike should contact Det. Gipson at (310) 482-6022.