Sheriff’s Office Donates Bike Following Theft
A 13-year-old boy from Castro Valley received the gift of kindness and a new bike last week after being scammed out of $497 to buy a used Mafia Bomma bicycle designed for all-around wheelie tricks.
On November 20, Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) Deputy Silvia with the community response team responded to a report of a theft at the corner of Redwood Road and Castro Valley Boulevard. There, she met Nathan (his last name withheld because he is a minor), who said he had arranged a purchase of the sought-after bike using the OfferUp website. The seller arrived with the bike, but then took Nathan’s money and rode off on the bike.
Nathan told the deputy that he had saved the $497 from chores and birthday money and that his hopes of finally owning the popular trick bike were crushed.
Seeing Nathan’s disappointment and unable to catch the scammer, Deputy Silvia and ACSO staff worked with Baylands Bicycles Shop in Fremont to get a new Bomma bike at below cost so it could be donated to Nathan.
Nathan and his mom were recently called to the Sherrif’s Office Eden Substation, where Deputy Silvia and several other patrol deputies presented the donated bike.
In a state of shock and holding back his tears, Nathan and his mom were very appreciative of the gift.