SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – November 6, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake City Police Department has located a minivan thieves had stolen from a quadriplegic man’s family Thursday morning.
Officers said the stolen van was found Friday afternoon in South Salt Lake at 173 East Bank Ave (3000 South).
The victim reported the van was stolen just before 10 a.m. when she was warming up the van near the area of 700 North and 800 West and an unknown suspect took the van.
The van is a specially-equipped vehicle the victim uses for her 27-year-old son Tommy who was involved in car accident last year and is now a quadriplegic. Inside the stolen van was Tommy’s clothing, medical equipment and needed medication.
A statement from the police department said: “Tommy was recruited by Coach Dennis Erickson and played football at ASU. In January of 2015 Tommy along with his brother were involved in a serious car accident that resulted in a spine fracture leaving him a quadriplegic.”
Tommy’s father is a retired firefighter and his mother is a retired nurse. The family told officers they used their retirement funds to purchase the van and are paying for Tommy’s therapy. The vehicle was the only source of transportation for their son.
The investigation into the theft is ongoing. They have not arrested any suspects.
