The owner of a mini-van custom designed for his special needs is now begging for answers about what happened to it.
- Van last seen Sept. 27
- Van was parked outside owner's apartment
- Van is a black Toyota Sienna, license plate 915 LPX
Between playing piano, substitute teaching, and spending time with his service dog Shamus, Chad Gordon is a busy man.
"We work as a team and that teamwork definitely helps with my independence," Gordon said.
Gordon has never let his cerebral palsy slow him down, and is able to move around so quickly thanks to his motorized wheel chair and modified mini-van. Last week, however, a piece of Gordon’s freedom was taken from him.
The last time Gordon saw his 2008 black Toyota Sienna was last Wednesday morning.
The van was parked in a handicap spot right outside his apartment building in the Carrollwood area. When he left his apartment for work two days later, he said the van was gone.
"I was just wondering why somebody would take a van that they could clearly see was outfitted for someone in a wheelchair," Gordon said.
Gordon said the van was locked, but a spare key was inside. It is designed to transport his wheel chair, and had a special place for his service dog to sit.
It’s a situation that’s easy to get angry about, but Gordon insists on staying positive. He's asking anyone who may know something to have a heart, and help bring his van back.
"I would be grateful, because that means I could get back to living up to my fullest potential," Gordon said.
The license plate on Gordon’s 2008 black Toyota Sienna is: 915 LPX
The van has a "Do not park within 8 ft. of vehicle" sticker on the rear hatch window. The van also has a "Sun Toyota" sticker and a magnetic sticker that says, "I Love my Golden Retriever."
If you have any information, contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.