Thieves target wheelchair ramps

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) - Nothing can stop Marita Heyworth.

Not the ATV crash 3 years ago that left her with serious spinal cord injuries or the broken leg she suffered after a fall outside her physical therapy session earlier this week. "I took a bad one," joked the Miami Township resident.

Heyworth seems to always keep a positive spirit, but over the weekend that optimistic outlook was tested. She went to leave her apartment and discovered the wheelchair ramps she uses to get to the parking lot were gone. "We opened the gate, looked down and no ramps," recalled Heyworth.     

It was a devastating discovery that has made it nearly impossible for her to leave home. "Without them, I have to bump down two steps," she said.
    
Heyworth's boyfriend Joe Bundschuh can't believe someone could stoop so low.

"Think about what you are doing," he said. "There was a big handicap sign next to those ramps. That wasn't just sign for people who want to have a close parking spot".

Miami Township police are investigating the theft, but say because they not marked with a serial number it will be difficult to track them down. Investigators suspect the thieves took the aluminum ramps to a scrapyard.

"You took someone's independence away for $50 or $100 dollars. People don't think outside their own means and what they do to other people. It's just wrong. It's just wrong," said Bundschuh.

Anyone with information on the ramps call Miami Township Police at 434-8477.