Police are hunting brazen thieves who stole a bike specially built for a teenager who lives with a disability.
The $5000 electric bike, customised for 13-year-old Harley Stokes, was pinched from his home on Sunday morning, leaving the schoolboy heartbroken.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Heartless thieves steal bike from teen with disability
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“It gives me independence. I don’t have to wait all day for mum to come pick me up,” he told 7NEWS.
“And sometimes [I go] to the skate park with my friends.”
Harley lives with achondroplasia, the most common form of short stature.
“We really noticed a change in his mental health as soon as he got the bike,” Harley’s mum Natasha told 7NEWS.
“It meant that he could go places and be the same as every other 13-year-old boy.”
The bike, one of just five in Australia, was a birthday present, and Harley had only received it six months ago.
It was taken when the family’s Lake Coogee home in Perth’s southern suburbs was broken into.
Harley Stokes’ e-bike was stolen from his home in Lake Coogee. Credit: 7NEWSThieves stole the bike from Lake Coogee. Credit: 7NEWS
Three hooded thugs were captured on CCTV leaving with the bike.
“I don’t know why these people have taken the bike,” Natasha said.
“It’s of no use to anyone else. It’s too small to the ground, it’s very uncomfortable for anyone to ride.
“It’s just not practical for anyone.”
Police have launched an investigation to find those responsible for stealing it.
But Harley’s mum just wants her son’s bike returned — no questions asked.
“It’s really hard to replace,” she said.
Harley has also issued his own plea.
“Please give me my bike back,” he said. “I really want it back.”
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