Adult tricycle stolen from teen with autism in Dexter

Posted: Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.

Jake Jones ran inside his home for just a moment to grab a drink while spending time with friends last Thursday.

But it was long enough for the Dexter High School student's adult tricycle to disappear from the front yard.

Jones, 16, uses the bike as a regular form of transportation because he is autistic and has balance issues linked to it. He does not have a driver's license.

"To be independent, this is his only mode of transportation," said his mother, Kim Jones. "He uses it every day, even in the winter."

He immediately called the police for help. A neighbor reported seeing two people get out of a white pickup truck and load the trike into the vehicle. It was on trash day and Kim Jones believes they might have thought it was also being tossed out.

The special tricycle is valued at more than $500. It is a cobalt blue Miami Sun trike with a white basket attached to the back. It has a mirror attached to the left handle bar.

Anyone with information about the tricycle is asked to call the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department anonymous tip line at 734-973-7711.

Tina Reed is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at 734-623-2535 or at tinareed@annarbor.com.