Brick Township man with autism receives gifts and replacement of stolen bike
“That bike meant everything to Shane - it was the only way he could get around,” said Nikki Gazis, Shane’s grandmother.
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April is National Autism Acceptance Month.
In Brick Township, a young man with autism found out just how much the community cares about him - with three surprises - after his bike was mistakenly taken.
“I was shocked at that moment, and I didn’t know where it went, how it disappeared,” said 20-year-old Shane Flynn. “That was my ticket to freedom.”
That "freedom" was in the form of his blue bike. On Sunday, when the bike went missing, a frantic search began by Brick Township police.
“That bike meant everything to Shane - it was the only way he could get around,” said Nikki Gazis, Shane’s grandmother.
Police say it all began when Shane parked his bike behind Goodwill along a grove of trees and someone mistakenly thought it was abandoned.
“I did not press charges on the guy did not sue the guy because I get where he was coming from,” he said.
The next day Brick police found the bike and gave it back to Shane.
“He answered the door yelling and how happy he was and gave me and my partner huge hug,” said Brick Township Detective Dominick Puccio.
What Shane didn’t know is that while police were out searching for the bike, his neighbor Diana started a GoFundMe shared by social media influencer Chris Lyle. In less than a day $1,300 was raised even before the bike was returned.
As the story spread online, James Rowe, a young man from Jackson also with autism, saw the post and donated his own bike as a replacement for Shane’s.
“It speaks to Brick Township, the community, law enforcement and the generosity and kindness the residents have,” said Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester.
“It’s just amazing. Amazing. I looked at Facebook today and I was just shocked,” said Gazis.
Shane wasted no time testing out his new wheels on a day where everyone came together to help a very special young man.
After consulting the donors, the rest of the funds raised will provide Shane and his grandma Nikki with an all-expense paid limousine ride to a fancy dinner later this week.
Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester wants to remind people if you see something, like a bicycle that looks misplaced, call them before simply taking it.
