Pedal cart stolen from autistic adult in Lubbock

Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - As property thefts rise this holiday season, one Lubbock victim wants to make sure thieves know the impact of their crime.

Mark Tijerina made a post to the Lubbock Online Garage sale Facebook page last Monday, asking for people to keep an eye out for a pedal cart after one was stolen at his home near 42nd Street and Memphis.

"The whole point of my post on Facebook was not so much to get the cart back, but to let somebody know that there was a victim in this," Mark said.

The pedal cart belonged to his son Isaiah Tijerina, a 19-year-old with autism.

Mark says routines are very important to Isaiah. KCBD learned about one of his special habits back in November 2015, as we documented his weekly rides with his grandfather Willie Tijerina.

Mark believes Isaiah may know about the theft because of his sensitivity to change.

"I really do believe he can tell that something has changed out there," Mark said, "and I think that was probably our biggest fear…that this would upset his routine."

Isaiah liked to sit on the pedal cart on his front porch, next to a bench.

Mark has multiple signs in his front yard warning others of Isaiah's special needs.

"Whoever took them obviously knows that there was somebody with autism in this house," he said.

It is almost impossible for Mike to tell Isaiah that someone made him a crime victim.

"Stealing is stealing, but I think us having to explain why it's not there anymore is probably the toughest part," he said, "and not knowing that he completely understands exactly what is going on."

While Mark is appreciative of everyone's offers to buy Isaiah a new pedal cart, he said that money can be put to better use.

He plans to replace it sometime this spring.