Stolen Bike Recovered, Genoa Business Donates Work to Restore

    In August of 2009 a purple and white Schwinn girls bicycle was stolen after being left unattended outside Miller's New Market in Genoa. The owner of the bike, Emily Kehlmeier, age 30 of Genoa, suffers from Downs Syndrome and used the bike for transportation around the village. The theft was investigated by Sergeant Todd Mocniak of the Genoa Police Department but there were few leads to follow.

    On September 24, 2009 the Ottawa County Sheriffs' Office received a report from a local farmer that he found a bike leaning against a telephone pole near the intersection of Deno and Ernsthausen Roads, about four miles from where this bicycle had been stolen. Deputy Chad Miller, the former police chief in the Village of Genoa, was dispatched to investigate, and on his arrival, immediately recognized the bike as belonging to Emily. Deputy Millner had Emily brought to the scene and she confirmed the bicycle was hers. Deputy Millner's investigation determined that a migrant worker had been riding the bike to and from work. That employee got it from a third party who was likely no longer in the area. The bicycle was turned over to the Genoa Police Department for further investigation.

    Deputy Millner recognized that the bicycle needed repairs before Emily would be able to ride it again. Knowing that Deputy Millner approached Mr. Terry Paul, the owner of Genoa Ford, to see if he may be able to provide assistance in restoring the bike to it's original condition. Mr. Paul agreed and his business did so by repainting and making other minor repairs to the bike. The bicycle was returned to Emily in January.

    Sheriff Bratton and Deputy Millner would like to recognize Mr. Terry Paul and Genoa Ford for their assistance and donation in helping restore the bike for Emily. Sheriff Bratton added 'this is an example of your business community and law enforcement working with the victims of crime, a partnership with results.'

Pictured: Mr. Terry Paul, Deputy Millner, Emily Kehlmeier and Sergeant Mocniak

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Posted January 20, 2010