Sudbury man's wheelchair stolen during break-and-enter

A Sudbury man's electric wheelchair was stolen during a break-and-enter earlier this month, and replacing it won't be covered by insurance.

Robert McCarthy owned his electric wheelchair for a number of years and was shocked when he was told it was stolen.

Robert McCarthy owned his electric wheelchair for a number of years and was shocked when he was told it was stolen. (Photo courtesy of Tim McCarthy)

Greater Sudbury Police Service said a break-in occurred July 5 at a storage area in an apartment building on Lasalle Boulevard, resulting in the locks broken on three units.

The wheelchair was in Tim McCarthy's storage unit, Robert’s father.

"His wheelchair was gone. The charger, everything," the elder McCarthy said. "They did leave a little bit of stuff and of course, it was the Christmas decorations they didn't take."

"It was just shock and we understood obviously what happened, but we couldn't understand what happened, if that makes sense," Robert said.

"I just couldn't understand why someone would be so callous as to, you know, take something, especially something so important like a wheelchair."

Robert is known by many in the community as an avid Sudbury Wolves and Sudbury Five fan. He's an active volunteer in the community and an advocate for multiple causes, including serving as president of the Sudbury division of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Needs it for tougher terrain

Robert lives with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and while he has a manual wheelchair, it is difficult to manoeuvre on rough terrain, snow and hills.

Tim said his son's mobility and independence was also stolen that day.

"It's getting hard for me to push him up and down the hills. It's hard on the back to do it," Tim said.

"At that point he would have used his electric wheelchair for his independence and go visit family or who he wants at what time."

Tim said the cost of a new chair is between $12,000 and $15,000.

"Unfortunately, it's not covered by insurance and it's very expensive," he said.

"That's because of where it was in the building. They don't cover personal belongings."

A GoFundMe page has been set up by a family friend to help cover the costs.

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"We're very grateful that there are some kind people that are willing to get that set up and donate to at least try to help get something like that back," Robert said.

He said he would never wish harm on the person or group who stole his wheelchair.

"What (would) they would think if someone did that to them or something like that to them -- stole something very valuable from them, be it, you know, their car or a piece of jewelry or whatever the case may be," he said.

"I wouldn't wish that on them."

Sudbury police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.