Scooter thieves caught on camera

Police are seeking the public's help in finding the thieves who were caught on camera stealing an electric scooter from a Ronkonkoma woman whose illness makes it difficult for her to drive a car. Surveillance

News 12 Staff

May 26, 2015, 1:55 AM

Updated 3,489 days ago

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Police are seeking the public's help in finding the thieves who were caught on camera stealing an electric scooter from a Ronkonkoma woman whose illness makes it difficult for her to drive a car.
Surveillance video shows two men stealing the scooter from outside a woman's apartment on Hawkins Avenue on May 12 at around 11 p.m. The scooter belongs to Sheila Carpenter, who says that she relies on the scooter to get around because she has epilepsy and cannot drive a car.
"I use it to go all over," says Carpenter. "It takes me up to the mall. I go to Sayville a lot."
The blue and white scooter travels under 18 mph and reads "X-Treme E-Bike" on the side. It cost more than $1,100, according to Carpenter. She says the scooter is not covered by medical insurance.
Jay Hansen is a manager at the nearby hardware store that put the scooter together for Carpenter. "It's terrible, Sheila is such a nice person," Hansen says. "She runs the local food pantry for everyone in need. If she walks past someone that's hungry, she goes and buys them lunch immediately. For someone to take something from her is just terrible."
Carpenter, who is a social worker, says she is taking the loss of transportation in stride. "I'm annoyed, but maybe they needed it more than me."
Anyone with information about the scooter theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. A $5,000 reward is being offered.