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Calif. Police Surprise Girl with New Bike after Hers was Stolen, Destroyed

May 15, 2025

After learning about a girl whose bicycle was stolen and later found destroyed, Rohnert Park police organized an effort to replace her bike and got some help from Walmart.

By Charles Swanson

Source The Press Democrat

Rohnert Park, CA, police teamed up with Walmart to replace a girl's bicycle after her bike had been stolen and later found destroyed.

A 7-year-old Rohnert Park girl was surprised by a public safety officer last week who gifted her a new bike, helmet and bike lock from Walmart after hers was stolen and found destroyed, authorities said Tuesday.

On May 6, the girl’s grandmother contacted the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety to report the girl’s bike had recently been taken from outside their apartment and that she found it nearby with its tires slashed and bike frame bent, according to an email from Rohnert Park Lt. Matt Snodgrass.

Officer Von Borges, who responded to the call, knew the grandmother from previous contacts and learned from her that the girl’s bike had been donated by Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children's Services.

“I didn’t want to tell this girl that the only bike she had, that was given to her by CPS, was destroyed,” Borges told The Press Democrat in a phone call. Police declined to identify the girl.

Determined to help, Borges said he began looking for a new bike along with Officer Anthony Fugazzi.

“We decided to check local stores to see how much bikes cost,” Borges said.

Borges also reached out to some staff members at the Rohnert Park Walmart who he had previously worked with in the past for donations to the department’s various outreach programs.

Walmart “graciously” donated the bike, helmet and bike lock, Borges said.

“They were happy to help out,” he said.

When the child came home from school, Fugazzi presented her the bike, much to her surprise, Borges said. In a Friday social media post, the department shared a photo of the girl receiving her new bike and thanked Walmart for the donation.

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