Thieves made off with Bob Laher's gift bicycle and Navy mementos as he got his hair cut (PHOTO: OC REGISTER / January 30, 2012) |
LA HABRA (KTLA) - World War II veteran Bob Laher is fighting mad.
When the 86 year-old Navy vet rode his bicycle to get his hair cut, someone stole Laher's bicycle, along with a commemorative jacket and cap from the submarine he served on during World War II.
Laher suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer's and cannot drive, so his four children bought him a bicycle on Father's Day last year to help him get around town.
But in the few minutes Laher got his hair cut, someone made off with his beach cruiser, his jacket, and a hat commemorating his service aboard a Navy submarine in the Pacific Theatre.
"We got the bike for him to ride around the park and get some exercise," said Laher's son, Bob. But the elder Laher wasn't content with that. He bicycled to nearby places like the grocery store, and the doughnut shop.
Laher did not always lock his bike, but he tried to keep a watchful eye on it. "The barber shop is all glass windows," Laher said. "I pulled the bike right in front of the windows. I know I should have taken the bike inside, but I figured it was close enough."
Laher's son suspects that the thief likely ditched the jacket and the commemorative hat, thinking they had no value.
But Laher's hat was a gift from relatives who accompanied him to Galveston Texas, the final resting place of the USS Cavalla submarine, where Laher served.
The La Habra Police Officers Association, upon hearing about Laher losing his bike, has pledged to get him another one.
"It's great," Laher said. And this time, "I sure as heck won't keep it unlocked."
When the 86 year-old Navy vet rode his bicycle to get his hair cut, someone stole Laher's bicycle, along with a commemorative jacket and cap from the submarine he served on during World War II.
Laher suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer's and cannot drive, so his four children bought him a bicycle on Father's Day last year to help him get around town.
But in the few minutes Laher got his hair cut, someone made off with his beach cruiser, his jacket, and a hat commemorating his service aboard a Navy submarine in the Pacific Theatre.
"We got the bike for him to ride around the park and get some exercise," said Laher's son, Bob. But the elder Laher wasn't content with that. He bicycled to nearby places like the grocery store, and the doughnut shop.
Laher did not always lock his bike, but he tried to keep a watchful eye on it. "The barber shop is all glass windows," Laher said. "I pulled the bike right in front of the windows. I know I should have taken the bike inside, but I figured it was close enough."
Laher's son suspects that the thief likely ditched the jacket and the commemorative hat, thinking they had no value.
But Laher's hat was a gift from relatives who accompanied him to Galveston Texas, the final resting place of the USS Cavalla submarine, where Laher served.
The La Habra Police Officers Association, upon hearing about Laher losing his bike, has pledged to get him another one.
"It's great," Laher said. And this time, "I sure as heck won't keep it unlocked."
