Bike Theft: Help Grandpa Bob Get New Wheels For Christmas

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — It was just another day for Laguna Hills resident Bob Fuller, or "Grandpa Bob," as he is called. He headed out to do a good deed for the day on his favored Electra Townie Go! bike purchased just a few months ago. That bike took the place of his long daily walks across South Orange County from Lake Forest to Laguna Hills, from Laguna Niguel to Dana Point. Perhaps you've given Bob Fuller a wave, and more than likely, he's waved back.

Earlier this week, that favored Electra Townie Go! bike Bob Fuller loved to motor around on was stolen while he put up Christmas lights for his former pastor's widow. His family, not willing to just see Fuller sad, is trying to raise enough money to buy him a new one for Christmas.

"My grandfather loves his bike, whenever he rides it he locks it up," granddaughter Justine Bisera said. "He rode it out to Lake Forest that day, and parked it in what he thought was a safe spot. When he came back to go home, it was gone."

Fuller is hoping someone saw something and will report it. Perhaps that surrounding neighbors have surveillance. A police report was filed with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and deputies are following leads, but thus far, they've had no luck.

"If someone turns the bike in, there's a reward of $200," Bisera said. "He really misses the bike and the freedom of riding it." Her grandfather is what she considers a "young 80, in great health, and physically fit. And while so many across southern California have lost so much, Fuller considers himself lucky in all other respects. Still, he misses that bike. A man of faith, he doesn't have anger just sadness that someone would steal from him.

"My grandmother passed away 12 years ago, and he has been widowed ever since then. He lives near our family and we see each other often," Bisera said. "Before he got his Go! bike, he walked everywhere, friends recognize him as he goes along."

For now, Fuller is back to walking.

"He is heartbroken that his bike is gone," she said. "You could hear it in his voice, you could tell that he was so sad that it was gone."

Will you contribute toward Grandpa Bob's Bike Fund?

Have you seen Bob Fuller's bike? Let the OCSD know at: lostbike@ocsd.org

Photos, courtesy Justine Bisera