Taunton Police Save the Day and Replace Boy’s Stolen Bicycle

When her son’s bike was stolen, Taunton resident Dawn King was furious, but she never expected to be overcome with emotion after the incredible gesture put forth by the Taunton Police Department on Wednesday.

“His first bike was actually stolen a month ago,” said King, talking about her six-year-old son, Brian. Brian’s birthday was coming up, so she let it go and got him a new bike as an early birthday present – but then it happened again.

“We came out of the house yesterday to drive my kids to school, and his bike was gone,” said King.

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In its place, next to her daughter’s bike, was a bent, rundown bike with no seat and no handlebars. This time, she reported it to the police.

“(The officers) asked me some standard questions about the bike,” King said, "And by that afternoon, two cops pulled up to my house.”

Officer Hughes and Officer Flynn pulled up to the King home, and in the back of their cruiser was a brand-new bike, accompanied with a new bike lock and a key lock for their shed.

“I cried,” King said. “It was very thoughtful and a huge gesture.”

One of the officers shared with King that he had his bike stolen twice as a kid, too. Needless to say, he knew what Brian was going through.

King mentioned how Brian is at an age where he doesn’t understand why people would steal, but he certainly understands the impact of kind gestures.

“Ten minutes after the officers had left, I saw Brian crying,” King said. “When I asked him why, he said, ‘a mean person took my bike, and these officers got me a new one. They didn't have to do that, but it means a lot to me that they did.’”

When you're young, a bicycle is one of your most prized possessions. These two Taunton officers showed Brian that even though people do bad things, there are still plenty of good people to make it better.

Dawn King was so excited for her son and said, “They went above and beyond their duties as officers and gave this little boy the best afternoon ever!”