Christopher Levi in his wheelchair. (credit: Handout)
HOLBROOK, NY (CBSNewYork) – Police in Suffolk County are offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the theft of an injured Iraq war veteran’s wheelchair.
Chris Levi discovered his $3,000 custom-made wheelchair with a Purple Heart and Army seal embroidered on the back, missing when he returned to his Mollie Boulevard home in Holbrook on Jan. 19. Police believe it was stolen sometime between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Levi lost both of his legs from a roadside bomb in 2008 while serving in Iraq. The wheelchair was made specially for him at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.
Levi has been given a temporary wheelchair from the Northport Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and says he’s eligible for a new one, but is especially attached to his chair because of the Purple Heart.
“That, I can never get more,” he said. “Unless they find it, I can’t get that back.”
Police are now offering up $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Anyone with information should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or text the Suffolk County Police Department and your message to CRIMES. All calls will be kept confidential.
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