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Posted on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.

Stolen Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels van recovered

By Cindy Heflin

This article has been updated with more information about the van's recovery.

An Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels van stolen from a church parking lot over the weekend was found this morning in Detroit at the juvenile detention center, the organization said this afternoon.

Someone who works for Wayne County Senior Nutrition in Detroit saw the van parked at the juvenile detention facility, located at 1326 St. Antoine St., while he was driving by this morning, said Ann Harris, executive director of Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. He thought it was odd for the Ypsilanti van to be in Detroit, so he called his boss, Harris said.

The Wayne County organization then contacted Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, which contacted police. Harris said the van has a broken mirror, and might have a broken window. The organization doesn't yet have it back, but Harris said she plans to send two people to pick it up Wednesday.

She said the van will be put back into service as soon as possible. The organization is hard-pressed to be without the van, which was stolen sometime between Saturday and Monday morning from the parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, for even a few days.

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.

"I want to thank this guy who was paying attention," Harris said. "It's an example of if something doesn't seem right, follow your instincts," Harris said. "I'm just so appreciative to everybody and I'm sure all of our recipients will be very happy."

Comments

Steve Pierce

Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11:37 p.m.

HB, I am not disparaging the organization. Far from it, I have been a long time supporter. I am just wondering if it was true the keys were in the van when it was stolen. Does anyone know? Even if keys were in the van it is still illegal to take the van. The Ypsi police when they visit neighborhood associations say this repeatedly, "Make sure your vehicle is always locked and do not leave valuables in plain sight." Cheers! - Steve

ronn oneal

Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 5:20 a.m.

Wow! You steal the van to make it to juvenile court for a pending auto-theft. Good you made it to court but, how did you get home?(ypsi) Oh, they took you into custody for being 5 min. late or your pant's hangin to the ground. Well, they must keep a full tank. Try only an 1/8 of a tank then they cant get far and hopefully he don't have gas money. LOL

Bogie

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 7:23 p.m.

Yes, let's pick on the police instead of finding "the maggot", who would steal a charity vehicle.

bs

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 4:30 p.m.

Two comments thus far. One using a "rumor on the street" to disparage a fine organization, the other making fun of the police. nice....

Steve Pierce

Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.

The rumor on the street is the keys were left in the van. I wonder what the police report says.