Apopka police and Walmart donate bike to boy whose cycle was mistaken for scrap

APOPKA, Fla. — What started as a report of a stolen bicycle turned into a show of community support for a 13-year-old boy in Apopka.

According to the Apopka Police Department, officers responded after the boy’s bicycle was taken while he was on his way to school. Police said the teen had stopped at a friend’s house, where he regularly meets his friend to ride to school, and left the bicycle at the end of the driveway.

Officers learned that a metal scrapper had picked up the bicycle, believing it had been left out for disposal.

Police said officers pooled their own money and went to Walmart to buy the boy a replacement bicycle. When Walmart employees learned why the officers were making the purchase, they also donated money to help.

The 13-year-old received a new bicycle, helmet and lights to help keep him safe on his rides.

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