Man Steals Wheelchair, Puts it on Craigslist: PD

Police in Chula Vista, California, have arrested the man who they say stole a $10,000 wheelchair from a victim having a seizure and put it up for sale on Craigslist.

On Sept. 7, Richard Young — who has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair — was on his way home near 3rd Avenue and Oxford Street when he suffered a seizure.

He said a passer-by, who identified himself only as “Joe,” called 911 and then offered to take care of Young’s wheelchair while he was taken to a hospital.

"When I went into the ambulance, he took it away from the sidewalk," Young recounts.

“Joe” told Young he lived nearby and would return the chair to him, police said.

Young was released from the hospital but had no contact from the stranger for weeks.

Finally, detectives decided to broadcast the crime Wednesday in hope of catching the culprit.

After the alert went out, a resident called the CVPD to report seeing the wheelchair for sale on Craigslist.

Investigators, posing as interested buyers, arranged a meeting with the seller, but the person they encountered said he posted the ad for a friend.

That friend, Joseph Marshall, was called and soon arrived at the house, riding in the stolen wheelchair, according to Lt. Fritz Reber.

Not only was Marshall arrested on suspicion of stealing the chair, but police also found him methamphetamine in his possession, Reber said.

The wheelchair has been returned to Young, who is now home with his mother, doing well.

He has these words for those who helped him: "I appreciate about what you did."

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