LEWISTON – Ruth Slovenski is all set to ride.
Police on Friday recovered the 83-year-old’s vintage bicycle less than a week after it was stolen near Bates College.
Police Lt. Mark Cornelio said a man who had been riding the bicycle called police early Friday after reading about the theft in the Sun Journal. He said a stranger had given him the bike earlier in the week.
“This kid apparently panicked,” Cornelio said. “This bike is going to stick out like a sore thumb.”
Early Friday afternoon, police were keeping the bike, a Huffy Slovenski has been riding since the 1940’s, in a safe place at their station. Later today, they plan to meet with Slovenski and hand over her cherished bike.
The bicycle was stolen last weekend. On Thursday, Slovenski said she had considered buying a new one and then quickly dismissed the idea.
“I don’t want another bike,” she said. “I want mine.”
After the story appeared in the Sun Journal, several people came forward to offer rewards for the return of the bike. The offers came from as far away as Oregon where a man who heard about Slovenski’s plight said he wanted to offer money or a replacement bike.
Early Friday, several former Bates College track athletes contacted the Sun Journal or Lewiston police to offer reward money. Cornelio said he had heard from others from around the state who also wanted to help out.
Police Cpl. Matt Cashman has been investigating the theft since last weekend. By Friday afternoon, no one had been charged.
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