Riverwest family asks for community to be on lookout after bikes were stolen off their property
RIVERWEST, Wis. (CBS 58) -- When Jackie Lalley and her family woke up on the morning of Saturday, July 11, they immediately noticed the garage door in their backyard had accidentally been left open overnight.
The gate with a heavy latch that had been put in place to block their garage from the public was ajar -- and Lalley said three of their bikes were now missing.
"I know that we have crime of opportunity, it's very easy to walk by and steal someone's things," Lalley said. "I have to think that they are dealing with things that are making them make bad choices, and that makes me sad about that and frustrated and angry that they'd take our things."
One of the bikes taken, Lalley said is irreplaceable, as it belongs to her 12-year-old daughter who beat cancer.
"[She is] a leukemia survivor, she's only 12, and to have that bike, that was given to her as part of a triathlon program she did with the MACC Fund Clinic," Lalley said. "That bike isn't made by any company that sells bikes, it was made by some company or partner and donated specifically for this, and it was a beautiful bike."
In the meantime, Lalley said her daughter and her husband are trying to fix up another older bike, but it doesn't have the same sentimental value.
Another one of the bikes Lalley said she uses for daily exercise, after she had heart surgery in the spring.
"It was a really important part of my journey back to health," Lalley said.
The family has filed a police report.
Lalley said one of the bikes was found in a neighbor’s yard Thursday afternoon and she’s hoping the rest are able to come home soon.