Above: Tye Johnston was thrilled to be back on his bike after it was stolen and later recovered by Pakenham police. By Paul Dunlop
TYE Johnston has beaten the BMX bandits, thanks to a little help from Pakenham Police.
The Cockatoo youngster was devastated recently when his bike was stolen, but his despair turned to joy when it was recovered by police.
Tye’s mum Tanya Lees said her 13yearold son had saved for months to buy the red Haro BMX.
She said it was his most prized possession.
The theft of the bike from the front yard of his home had been terrible for Tye, Ms Lees said.
“He usually keeps it in his bedroom but this was the first time it had been left in the front yard,” she said.
“I went up to the shops for half an hour and when I got back the bike had gone.”
Ms Lees said she and her son had little hope they would see the bike again and were shattered by the loss.
They were thrilled when investigations by Pakenham Police led to the recovery of the bike, valued at several hundred dollars.
“I couldn’t have afforded to buy a new one,” Ms Lees said.
“The police had said there was a one in 10 chance of getting it back, but lo and behold, they did. It just gives you a little bit of hope.”
Ms Lees said she and Tye were extremely grateful to the police.
A keen cricketer with Emerald as well as an enthusiastic BMX rider, Tye said the boys – and girls – in blue had done a great job.
