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Posted on Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.

Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels van stolen from church parking lot

By Lee Higgins

An Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels van was stolen sometime between Saturday afternoon and this morning from the parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, said Ann Harris, the organization's executive director.

The 2003 white Ford Windstar was taken between 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. today from the lot on West Cross Street, Harris said.

Ypsilanti police say they're investigating. 

Harris fears sick and elderly clients won't get fed.

"It's kind of another example I guess of the times, how low people can go," she said. "It's very frustrating. We have a lot of people waiting for service."

It's unclear whether the van was left locked, Harris said. The van has "Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels" written on both sides and on the back in large black letters, she said.

It also has a United Way logo on the back and a message warning that the vehicle makes frequent stops.

The van is one of five the organization uses to help serve 210 meals each day in eastern Washtenaw County, Harris said. Meal deliveries give workers an opportunity to check up on clients - 80 percent of whom live alone, Harris said.

Anyone with information on the theft can call Ypsilanti police at (734) 483-9510.


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Comments

dawhood

Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.

HOLD ON!! The worst is yet to come.. The world has to wax worse, we seem to have forgoten about God.. Look at our "Society," we have become worse than a lot of the "Ancient societies" recorded in history.. WE have "abortion clinics" "Nude Bars" "Sin is a part of the normal life style today. WE cry about crime and just sit back and do nothing but cry. We turn a blind eye to murders and roberies and watch the "Drug seller's" selling drugs in our neighborhoods and say nothing for "Fear of the criminals". we have a system that we can make work by holding the officials accountable. If a law has "loop ~ holes" fix it were a "DEMOCARY" LOL!! It seems to be just that a "JOKE".. Wake up America!! *) PEACE..

uawisok

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.

Low lifes do low down things......bible,farmers almanac, tarot cards can all give answers one is looking for when one has myopic vision.

krc

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.

Got a Bible? Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Describes most of society today, with a warning. That is, if this is printed.

tdw

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.

@writerleft give me a break.Desperiate times has nothing to do with it.The person/s who took it are just plain low life theives pure and simple

WriterLeft

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.

So many Ann Arborites forget what desperate times we're in - in Ypsilanti, in Detroit, in Southfield, at Miller Manor and more. Not that that is an excuse for theft. If everyone who posted a comment on AnnArbor.com this month would send $5 to Meals on Wheels or another feed the hungry nonprofit, that would show true compassion and connection.

glimmertwin

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.

In my opinion, this is one of the finest programs available. MOW helps homebound persons maintain dignity and some independence. Depriving those persons because some punks ripped off a delivery vehicle is about as low as you can go. I hope the thief(s) get some sense and help the police recover it. Just when you think you've heard it all, along comes another story. Unbelievable.

Morris Thorpe

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.

That is terrible. A friend of mine who worked for FedEx once stole a kid's bike to finish his route when his delivery truck broke down. I'm not saying this was the same situation but people do strange things.

Gorc

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.

Cash...That's right...the autistic child's specially built tricycle from Dexter?

Cash

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 7:19 p.m.

Gorc, Don't forget the ice cream man who stole the child's bicycle.

Gorc

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.

This last week some of the lowest crimes have been committed in the Detroit area: 1. A van was stolen that helps feed the hungry 2. A blind man was beaten with his own sight cane by two young thugs and stole $600 from the man. 3. A wheelchair ramp was taken from someone front door and sold for scrap metal.

Mikey2u

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 5:50 p.m.

Is there any way we can help?

Cash

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 5:21 p.m.

Heartbreaking loss for those people who need help the most.

Captain Magnificent

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.

Who would steal a van which has a sign on it saying "vehicle makes frequent stops"?? They're not going to get very far in a van that keeps on stopping, so they shouldn't be hard to find unless the thieves are clever and remove the sign. Most thieves aren't that clever though, so I bet they get caught.

Mark

Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.

What kind of a depraved person steals a vehicle that feeds hungry people? How do you get to that point in your life? This is very, very sad.