Amsterdam Walmart donates bike stolen from store
What started as a theft in Amsterdam has lead to a happy surprise for a local teen in need. NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski shares how Walmart partnered with law enforcement to help.
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -A bike was stolen in early October from the Amsterdam Walmart. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says the suspect snuck out through a side door and rode off. Shortly after, a deputy was called and chased the bicyclist on foot.
"Had a small accident with the bike and did a little bit of damage to the wheel and then he continued to flee on foot," stated Sheriff Jeff Smith. "The deputy caught up with the suspect, placed him into custody, and was able to retrieve the evidence."
But when Walmart got the bike back, they decided not to sell it. After a quick tune-up, Walmart's Loss Prevention team partnered with the Amsterdam School Resource Officer to surprise a student instead.
"I was kind of scared because my grandfather brought me to Walmart and he told me to go over where the police officers were and in my mind I thought, 'Did I do something wrong?'" explained Gordon Duffney.
One of the 10th grader's favorite hobbies is bike riding but his old bike needed new brakes.
His grandpa, James Blackwood, says it was hard to keep the surprise when Gordon was asking for parts. "You don't think that those things go back and then they get donated. Usually, they go back, they go back on the shelf."
Gordon hopes his grandpa will let him bike to school soon. As for the suspect, he is facing a petit larceny misdemeanor charge.
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