New Westminster child’s specialized walker stolen

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) — A little girl in New Westminster is having a tough time getting around after her mobility aid was stolen, and her family just wants it back.

New Westminster Police says the red “miniwalk” was taken from off of the family’s vehicle between 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. The vehicle was parked along 1st Street when the suspect is said to have cut the strap and lock that had been securing the specialized walker.

Police are now asking people in and around the city to be on the look-out for the mobility aid.

A young #NewWest resident has had her mobility aid stolen. Please RT and help us find it and return it to her. If you see this mobility aid please call your local police or NWPD at 604-525-5411. #vancity pic.twitter.com/4u3sCu537l

— New Westminster Police Department (@NewWestPD) August 12, 2020

“This is concerning to us,” New Westminster Police Sgt. Jeff Scott said. “The child needs this walker for mobility purposes. It’s disheartening somebody would steal that.”

Police say the miniwalk is an anti-tipping child walker that’s valued at $3,000.

“So it’s not easily replaced,” Scott added.

Brian Martin said his five-year-old daughter lives with disabilities and can’t speak. But her eyes light up, he added, when she sees her walker, so she can move around without help.

But that’s not an option for her since the theft.

“It’s hard enough having a child with a disability and then on top of it, taking what makes her happy away. I don’t know what to say,” he said.

Martin said the theft ruined the family’s weekend.

“It destroyed our whole weekend and we were devastated. We actually went to Harrison Hot Springs, and we weren’t able to have our walker with us. We were going on vacation. The only thing my daughter can do is swim and walk with a walker. That’s all she can do. She’s going to know it’s not around anymore, but we’re just trying to stay strong,” he added.

“I’m just praying that it was someone that couldn’t get funding for their child and took it, and they needed it as bad as we did,” says Martin. “It’s not worth anything to anybody that doesn’t know what it is.”

Police are appealing to the suspect or suspects to return the walker to the station, so it can be returned to the family.

“They need it and we need to get it back,” he said. “They’re troubled. We’re troubled. The whole community is troubled.”

Scott added the community is rallying around the family.

“We’re really encouraged hearing that some people are offering to help support the family with replacing the walker, either financially or finding a walker for them,” he said.

“So the community is really coming around to support the family, so we are seeking more people to either help out in that regard, or in regards to finding the suspect and finding the original miniwalker that’s been stolen.”

The Tetra Society of North America and New Westminster Massage Therapy have both offered to help supply Rya with a new walker if her old one isn’t recovered.

“My daughter is my joy, so we don’t want any children to be in this situation, so whatever we can do to make it right that’s what I wanted to put out there,” Yusuf Daud from New Westminster Massage Therapy tells CityNews.

If you have any information, you can contact your local police department or the NWPD at 604.525.5411.