Get Our Email Newsletter

‘Screaming Happy:’ Police Officer and LPA Replace Girl’s Stolen Bike

Nine-year-old Eva Walker described herself as being “screaming happy” when Sgt. Rick Wagner, of the Cambridge Police Department, surprised her with a new bike. Wagner’s delivery of the bike to Eva came about after he had been called to the family’s home in late June to take a report on her bike being stolen through the night.

According to Wagner, he was called to the residence when Eva’s mom, Laura, had called after reviewing surveillance footage and seeing someone take the bike. Wagner recognized the person on the surveillance video and said he was able to identity who took the bike and that charges would be filed.

“For me, I usually know how bike thefts go. It’s a slim to none chance that you are going to get the bike back in the condition that it was when she had it and I kind of figured that if I did get the bike back it could of been destroyed or spray painted or whatever,” Wagner said. “I kind of had a feeling that’s the way the bike’s going to be and the parents would of had to been responsible for getting a new bike, regardless.”

- Digital Partner -

Wagner had been on another call to Walmart later that day. After finishing up the call, he spoke with Walmart’s loss prevention officer, Jennifer Whitehair, and told her the story of Eva’s bike getting stolen and asked her if she had any bikes in stock.

“We went back and looked and there happened to be a bike similar to the one she had and they talked to the manager and they were willing to donate the bike,” Wagner said. Robert Geiger, assistant manager for Walmart, confirmed that after hearing that this was the second bike that had been stolen from Eva, the store decided to donate the bike.

According to Laura, last Easter, the family’s first set of bikes were stolen. The police were able to locate the suspect, who ended up going to jail for the theft. The bikes were never recovered.

Wagner had been on another call to Walmart later that day. After finishing up the call, he spoke with Walmart’s loss prevention officer, Jennifer Whitehair, and told her the story of Eva’s bike getting stolen and asked her if she had any bikes in stock. “We went back and looked and there happened to be a bike similar to the one she had and they talked to the manager and they were willing to donate the bike,” Wagner said.

Robert Geiger, assistant manager for Walmart, confirmed that after hearing that this was the second bike that had been stolen from Eva, the store decided to donate the bike. Robert Geiger, assistant manager for Walmart, confirmed that after hearing that this was the second bike that had been stolen from Eva, the store decided to donate the bike…  The Daily Jeffersonian

Loss Prevention Magazine updates delivered to your inbox

Get the free daily newsletter read by thousands of loss prevention professionals, security, and retail management from the store level to the c-suite.

What's New

Digital Partners

Become a Digital Partner

Violence in the Workplace

Download this 34-page special report from Loss Prevention Magazine about types and frequency of violent incidents, impacts on employees and customers, effectiveness of tools and training, and much more.

Webinars

View All | Sponsor a Webinar

Whitepapers

View All | Submit a Whitepaper

LP Solutions

View All | Submit Your Content

Loss Prevention Media Logo

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

The trusted newsletter for loss prevention professionals, security and retail management. Get the latest news, best practices, technology updates, management tips, career opportunities and more.

No, thank you.

View our privacy policy.