Officers Purchase New Bikes for Two Girls After Theirs Were Stolen

One Roseville family was the target of two different thefts, which elicited the kindness of two police officers.

The thefts, first of one daughter’s scooter and then of both daughters’ Barbie bikes, occurred at the apartment complex where the family lives.

On June 26, almost two years after the scooter disappeared from the family’s porch, Queta Gangwish spotted a child riding her daughter’s stolen scooter, she said. The parents of the child riding the stolen scooter said they purchased the scooter from someone selling it and looking to make a little extra money, Queta said.

Officers Matthew Leatherman and Ryan Nottleson responded to the call, but found no suspects. During that time, officers learned that the Gangwish girls, 8-year-old Emma and 3-year-old Kaitlyn, had their bikes stolen about a month prior.

The officers left the call, but returned later that evening bearing gifts.

As Queta was putting a pot roast into the oven, she heard a knock at their door. The officers returned with two new Barbie bicycles for the girls.

“I wanted to cry,” Queta said. “It was never my intention for them to do that. I was completely overwhelmed and shocked … they have such big hearts.”

The officers purchased the bikes from Wal-Mart with money out of their own pockets, but will be reimbursed from the Roseville Police Officers Association, Leatherman said.

“They were so happy – in shock,” Queta said of her daughters’ reactions.

Roseville Police Chief Daniel Hahn said the officers' actions show how much they care about the community.

"It shows the quality of people that we have working in the Roseville Police Department and how much they care," Hahn said. "I'm sure those little girls will remember that for the rest of their lives."