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Special-Needs Boy's Custom-Made Bike Stolen In Burbank Is Found

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — A Burbank teen with special needs got his custom-made bike back Thursday, five days after it was stolen from the parking garage of the Burbank apartment complex where he lives.

Damian Jeffries got home from school to find his special bike waiting for him. "I'm happy that it's back. But I'm sad that it's broken," said the 13-year-old boy.

"An alert citizen who saw the news reports on this case last night saw the bicycle off the side of the road in the community of Silverlake this morning and loaded the bike into her vehicle," said Burbank police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.

Police returned the $5,000 tricycle to Damian's mother, Allesha Jeffries. She pointed out that the bike is too damaged to be ridden. It's unclear how much it will cost to repair the bike.

A man was caught on security video stealing the three-wheel bike from a secured parking garage Saturday at 4524 Clybourn Ave.

"One negative person can't ruin it for the rest of us," Allesha said.

Damian has cerebral palsy. His mother said the special bike helps her son feel like he fits in with everybody else.

"People look at him when he walks. People look at him when he rides in his wheelchair." The boy's mother said: "When he's in the bike, everyone is like: that's cool!"

Mother and son said they are grateful for the donations they have received and are confident he will be back on his bike in no time.

The suspected thief remains on the loose. He is Hispanic or white in his mid-30s, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10, and 160 to 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie, black-and-white beanie and dark jeans, police said.

Anyone who has seen him is urged to call Detective Aaron Kay at (818) 238-3210.

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