UPDATE: Tonyo’s bike has been recovered.
Medford, Ore. — Bike thefts are what police call a crime of opportunity. They’re tough cases to crack, so victims rarely
see their bikes again. Unfortunately, one Rogue Valley man knows that feeling all too well, but he’s hoping the thief has a change of heart.
Tonyo Ruiz had a birthday Monday, it was one of his best because he got a bike.
“Brand new shocks, brand new gears, brand new everything,” Tonyo Ruiz says, “ran good while I had it.”
He logged all of about 6 miles on that brand new birthday bike, it’s what got him to class at Rogue Community College on Thursday.
“I got out of class and my bike was gone, lock was on the ground,” Tonyo says.
Tonyo was heartbroken. Not just because he lost his only mode of transportation for school and work, but because the bike meant something more.
“It was really important because I got it from my friends, my coworkers at work for free because they seen the old bike I had and it wasn’t running good,” Tonyo explains.
“We just decided to go in halves and get him a new bike,” David Lewis tells NBC5 news.
It was the first time David Lewis and his partner at The Point Pub & Grill purchased a new bike, but they’d helped Tonyo with a set of wheels before.
“Bought him a bike before ironically, and that bike got stolen as well,” Lewis says, “I know one time he got hit by a car on a bike, and so we got him a new bike then.”
Perhaps, they thought, the third time was a charm.
“I think we’re working on bike number three here,” Lewis says, “he’s just a great guy, he deserves a lot more than what he’s getting.”
Security at RCC is reviewing surveillance footage of the bike rack, and Tonyo has filed a report with local police. But he hopes the person responsible will just do the right thing.
“Would you please return my bike,” Tonyo asks, “I need it.”
The red and black Hyper bike was taken sometime between 7 and 8 Thursday night at the RCC bike rack on 8th Street. If you saw something or have any information, call Medford police.
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