The single mother of an eight-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who had asked Victoria residents to help her locate a specialized bike trailer that was stolen from her parking garage has had a very, very good Friday.
Kerry Vandendriessche shared on social media Friday morning that the specialized bike trailer that was stolen from her parking garage Tuesday has been found.
“HOLY GUACAMOLE OUR TRAILER WAS FOUND! Thank you everyone who kept a sharp eye out for our trailer,” Vandendriessche said in a Facebook post on the group The Stolen Bicycle Avengers. “I’ll give it a good wash and inspection and if all is well we will donate the GoFundMe to help women in our community.”
Vandendriessche purchased the $1,200 trailer for her son, Louis, who cannot ride a bicycle on his own. It had been locked up with a one-inch-thick braided wire cable and braided U-lock when it was stolen Tuesday morning.
Speaking to CHEK News, Vandendriessche said she is absolutely thrilled that her specialized bike trailer was found.
“I am so happy,” she said.
Vandendriessche did not have to go very far to find the bike trailer, explaining that it was actually discarded in some bushes that were under her balcony the entire time.
“It was literally under my nose,” she said.
Vandendriessche explained that the balcony of her Gorge Road apartment hangs over the area where her bike had been discarded — prohibiting her from seeing the bushes. She said it was a neighbour who spotted it and notified her.
“Absolutely insane,” she said.
Vandendriessche believes the person or persons responsible had hidden it there and were planning to return later on to take it. She said she received numerous tips from as far away as Vancouver about the trailer and is grateful for everyone’s support.
“It really means a lot that there are people out there who care,” she said.
According to Vandendriessche, the trailer is in good condition and can be cleaned up and used without any issues. She says she will donate the money raised from a GoFundMe she had started to the Women’s Transition House.
The story has been updated to reflect the trailer was found. The original story is preserved below.
The single mother of an eight-year-old boy with Down Syndrome is asking Victoria residents to keep their eyes open for a specialized bike trailer that was snatched from her parking garage.
Kerry Vandendriessche says the extra-large Wike Special Needs Bike Trailer was stolen sometime after she left her Gorge Road apartment building Tuesday morning, despite it being locked up with a one-inch-thick braided wire cable and braided U-lock.
She purchased the $1,200 trailer for her son Louis, who cannot ride a bicycle on his own.
Victoria police have been alerted of the theft and are asking anyone who sees the bike trailer to call them.
The trailer being stolen has been “devastating” for Louis and the rest of the family, Vandendriessche said.
“It’s something that, as a mom escaping an abusive marriage, I don’t have the capacity to be able to replace this financially,” she said.
The mother has launched a GoFundMe to try to replace the unique trailer as well as the locks, which will cost an additional $200 to $300 to replace.
“I don’t like begging for money, it’s a very vulnerable feeling and it wounds your pride to ask for help,” she admitted.
However, if the trailer is found, Vandendriessche said she will donate any money raised to the Victoria Women’s Transition House “since they helped us when we first moved to town.”
Police are asking anyone who sees the trailer or has information on the theft to call them at 250-995-7654 extension 1.
If you see this bike trailer or have information about it please call (250) 995-7654, ext 1 for the Report Desk. Help us get this family back on the bike path! #yyj #yyjbike https://t.co/PX2c7iMYcu
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 3, 2022
CHEK News
