Thief swipes youth's bike during Heritage Festival preparations
When Jordan Solano-Reed found out Wednesday night that his bicycle had been stolen, he sat down for a moment and teared up.
The bike had been taken out of his family’s garage at some point over the previous several days.
Solano-Reed, 16, and several friends had been busy building a 40-foot model railroad table to display in the Ypsilanti Freighthouse’s Great Room during this weekend's Heritage Festival. Because of the activity and constant travel between the garage and Freighthouse, the door was left open. Someone near their home at Cross and Campbell Streets took the chance to walk in the garage and ride off with the bike.
His mother, Helena Solano-Reed, said it was rare for her son to cry, but said he quickly regained his composure, told her the train display had to be completed and now walks the mile from their home to the Freighthouse.
The bicycle is a high-end white and gray Giant Defy touring bike that was a gift from his parents for his hard work in school. Solano-Reed participates in the National Honor Society, scored a 32 on his ACT test, is a part of Divine Child’s forensics team, is active in six bands and is a drum major.
Yale and several other top tier universities have asked Solano-Reed to consider their school as he begins pursuing his dream of becoming a U.S. congressman.
Solano-Reed started the Ypsilanti Model Railroad Club with several friends and they designed and built every part of the 40-foot table on display at the Freighthouse. The club has seven members and constructed the display to help attract attention to the the effort to renovate the Freighthouse into a community space and as a stop on the planned Ann Arbor to Detroit Rail.
But not only did Solano-Reed build the table to display at the Heritage Festival, he also made sure it was collapsible and easy to transport so it could be taken to hospitals or assisted living homes where others could enjoy it after the festival.
Bonnie Penet, a member on the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, said Solano-Reed impressed the Friends with his knowledge and passion for trains, and he became a junior member on their board.
By all accounts, he is an exceptional student and community member.
“Beyond being a very bright young man, Jordan is very well-rounded, he is sensitive, mature and has a great sense humor," Penet said. "He can be a typical playful and creative teen, but what's most amazing to me is his skill at interacting in adult settings, such as our Freighthouse board meetings. Jordan is wise beyond his years."
Bicycling is also a significant part of Solano-Reed's life. Helena Solano-Reed said her son would sometimes leave the house on his bike in the morning, then call her up in the afternoon to inform her he was in Novi. On other days, he and his friends would bike to the west side of Ann Arbor, spend the afternoon canoeing, then bike home.
Because Helena Solano-Reed recently lost her job and money is tight, she can’t afford to replace the bike, and said her son is devastated.
She said she is particularly upset that he was working on a project to promote the community and share with others when someone stole the bike.
“What I’m most disappointed about is that someone stole it while he was working on something for the greater good of the community,” Solano-Reed said. “He was working on the train tables so other people could enjoy them at the Heritage Festival.”
Jordan Solano-Reed said he is mostly keeping his feelings about the bike being stolen inside so it doesn’t affect the Railroad Club or his family, but he said was shocked and disgusted people could be so selfish. The event has shaken his faith in the community, he said.
Penet said she is thinking up ways to help raise funds for a new bike, though everyone is so involved with the Heritage Festival at the moment that no solid plans have been made.
In the meantime, visitors can see the Ypsilanti Railroad Club’s table at the Freighthouse until 7 p.m. on Saturday and from around 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Anyone with any information should call the Ypsilanti Police or Helena Solano-Reed at 734-678-7842
Comments
Bob Krzewinski
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.
I was talking to Jim Nieter today, who belongs to the Ann Arbor Velo Club and Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition, and he has been in touch with Jordan to give him, at no charge, a high end quality bike equivelent to the one that was stolen. For every "Mr. Potter" in this world (like the person that stole the bike), there are also the George Baileys like Jim Nieter.
joe golder
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Thank you Mr. Krzewinski and Mr. Nieter for caring enough to help out a nice young man like Jordan. I am sure this bike will stay his and not a theifs. I am also sure this lesson and the generosity of others will make a great impact on Jordan. Jordon I have many accessories,Racks,pumps,lights ...ect. Stop by some time!!
jns131
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Hate to say it, but by all accounts the garage door needed to be kept closed or the bike well hidden. I was home after I dropped our daughters bike off. I put it behind the house, could not be seen from the street and went inside. I was home when someone came into the backyard and took it. Guess what, the police said tough nuts getting it back. They told me someone was watching me do what I did. We went out and got a new one. Good luck with the new bike. We learned real quickly to put bikes in the back of the garage not the front. Now I am watching all the time now. This is Ypsilanti. Bikes and everything else will be stolen.
Nicasia
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.
He left it open because him and his friends were going in and out all day. He's only 16, and it is rude of you to justify someone stealing his bike.
Bob Krzewinski
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
God, this was a 16 year old hard working kid who made a mistake. Give him a break!
Lovaduck
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
Why just say "Ypsilanti"? This sort of regrettable action happens all over the country! "Ypsilanti" seems to be Washtenaw County's word for any form of evil or badness they want to believe can never happen to them as long as they live somewhere else.
Alan Richardson
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
Does anybody know how much more is needed to buy him a bike like the one he had ?
Gordon
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
Check the police pound. Frequently they have bikes that can't be accounted for.
jns131
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 10 p.m.
Have to be able to identify it. That is what the police told us. We had a picture and everything. Bike was never found. We know what area it was taken to, proving it is another. Otherwise, go on line and see if they advertise it as for sale. Most times they strip them and dump them.
Drew
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
It's sad to see people who do good for this community get their bike or any belongings stolen.We all need to look after each other because bikes get stolen here in Ypsi at the blink of an eye.There has been 2 break ins on my street where I live this summer alone Karma will get these thieves one day.
Bonnie Penet
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 3:46 a.m.
Jordan is most definitely an incredible young man! We are very fortunate to have him as a part of our Board. A fund to replace Jordan's bike is being set up through the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. If you wish to contribute, please send check in care of Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (501c3) PO Box 970919 Ypsilanti MI 48197. Contributions will also be received at MIX, open Sun-Thurs 11-7, Fri and Sat 11-9 130 W. Michigan Ave at the corner of N. Washington St. .
joe golder
Mon, Aug 22, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
A big thank you for all you and Ed do for this community!!!
Ellen
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
Please let us know when a fundraiser has been set up, I'd like to contribute. Jordan sounds like an incredible young man.
jns131
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
Won't get nothing out of me. No one came forward to help us and this is Ypsi...bike will be gone again.
Swimmer
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 10:05 p.m.
Blatant bike theft seems to be on the increase. My bike was stolen from my garage as we were packing to go in a biking vacation to Yellowstone earlier this month. About midnight, we were in and out, bike rack on the car, all five bikes ready to be loaded and locked on to the rack for early morning departure...... then suddenly a space in the garage where my bike (the most expensive of the 5 -a $400 Black Ladies Trek, nothing Olympic-worthy) used to be. Quick in -and-out, boldy passing the four other bikes, walking between two cars and into a lit garage.... Fortunately my friend lent me her bike so we were able to continue with our vacation plans if a little late, but when I share my story I'm hearing shock and then ....oh my friend's bike was also stolen from a "safe" place recently.....
jns131
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
Broad daylight theft....night time theft. This is Ypsi. Things do disappear around here. Loved Yellowstone. I could live there....without the bears.
joe golder
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
Tom is there any way to post a pic of the stolen bike?
Thaddeus
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
This young man sounds too bright for the U.S. Congress. Maybe he can raise the bar of integrity and respect in the U.S. House of Representatives.... All the power to you, Jordan!
joe golder
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
Jordon I'm having a yard sale at 1002 Washtenaw and have some bikes that might help get you around until you get another one. Sorry to here about your loss. I hope someone has a change of heart and returns your bike. Stop by!
rinmem10
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
You're a good and generous man. Thank you for that.