Disabled Winnipeg man pleads for return of stolen specialized trike

A Winnipeg man with a disability is pleading for the return of his tricycle after it was stolen out of his home in Amber Trails.

"Ifyou took this bike, I'm not sure why," said Sukhjit Johal at a news conference with Winnipeg police on Thursday."It was just painful, terrible. I was just so sad. I was just thinking, what am I going to do without that bike?"

The custom recumbent tricycle was stolen from Johal's attached garage during the night of July 20, said Winnipeg police. It's black, has three wheels and may still have an orange flag attached to it.

Thetrikecost about $3,000 when Johalbought it six years ago, he said. Not having the trikemeans not being ableto easily exercise or get around the city.

"Thisis my happiness, my health you've stolen," he said. "I used the bike for exercise, walking with my wife and my kids, especially when I go to soccer grounds and stuff like that.

"I'm not able to do any of that [anymore]."

Johal said no one else would be able to easily use the bike.

"My disability is polio. When they do customize these bikes, they customize according to your body weight, your length, your arm length, your legs.Theydesign it specially for your disability."

He asked Winnipeggers to keep an eye out for it.

"I would encourage anybody out there, if you see and spot the bike, to just contact the police immediately so I can get it back."

The Winnipeg police major crimes unit is investigating. Anyone with information should call police at 204-986-6219.