Child's stolen dirt bike holds special connection to dad
A dirt bike belonging to 5-year-old Zealand was recently stolen from his home in Post Falls. His mother said that he had wanted to ride for most of his life, just like his father.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
POST FALLS — The dirt bike belonging to Jacinta Raymond’s young son meant a lot more than recreation. It was a link to a lost family member.
“I bought him the bike, but he doesn’t have many memories with his dad because he was so young, but so that’s the only thing he really has,” Raymond said. “His dad used to ride dirt bikes, too, when he was young and it’s something he could bond with."
When the beginner dirt bike was stolen overnight April 12 from their apartment complex, Raymond knew how much the loss would affect her son, Zealand, who had just turned 5.
"I feel mad," Zealand said of the theft.
He had dreams of learning to ride like his late father.
His mom was shocked when she awoke to find the red 2023 CRF50F dirt bike with blue handles gone from its lock and restraints on her vehicle.
Because they aren’t able to take the bike inside, as the gas poses a fire hazard, she had been keeping her car locked and strapped to the bike with ratchet straps.
"They broke one of the wheel clamps off and they cut the straps and the lock,” Raymond said.
Her goal now is to replace the bike, so her son can continue the pastime he and his father enjoyed.
“There's just not many things that he can relate to him with, but he sees him in pictures doing that. That's something that they have the same that he can bond over,” Raymond said.
A GoFundMe account will go toward purchasing a replacement dirt bike for Jacinta’s son. A friend has offered secure storage for a new dirt bike in the future.
The GoFundMe calls for community members to come together “to show this little boy that there are good people in his world.”
By Friday, it had raised $950.
To help: www.gofundme.com/f/help-jacintas-son-replace-his-stolen-dirt-bike-fwq36