A Winnipeg family is feeling a mix of both anger and sadness Thursday after someone stole a bike from their garage.
But this wasn't just an ordinary bike -- itt was a specially designed for polio survivor Sukhjit Johal.
"I need it for my freedom, that's for sure." said Johal. "I call it freedom."
The tricycle was built especially for Johal six years ago. But someone stole it and his son's bike from the garage in his Amber Trails home during the night on July 20.
"A lot of these crimes are unfortunately just a crime of opportunity," said Winnipeg Police Service Const. Rob Carver. "In fact, I would guess the thieves here have no idea what they have."
Replacing a specialty bike like Johal's isn't an easy process. They aren't mass produced. In fact, each one is specially crafted in a process that takes days and thousands of dollars.
"These are made custom for each individual, one at a time," said Larry Penner from specialty bike designer Freedom Concepts.
Winnipeg's Freedom Concepts has been designing and building these specialized bikes one at a time for 26 years.
But while each one is necessarily unique, they're all designed with the same idea in mind -- restoring clients’ mobility.
"The sense of accomplishment, and to see them so happy and pedaling is fantastic." said Penner.
Sukhjit Johal had that feeling too and he wants to get it back, no matter how long it takes.
"I did a lot of overtime last time when I got it," said Johal. "So I will do the same thing again."
But he has an emotional attachment to his original bike and he's hoping that somehow, it will be returned to him one day.
Police ask anyone with information to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.
