On Saturday, August 20 between 10 P.M. and 10 A.M. on Sunday, an e-scooter belonging to Christine Taylor's 16-year-old son was stolen from the family's garage on Cooper's Drive (600-700 block). The family had forgotten to close the garage door in the evening on Saturday, which is how the intruder(s) gained entry. 

Taylor's son who is autistic was gifted the e-scooter by his grandparents at the beginning of the summer. The make and model is a: Kugoo Electric Scooter for Adults 350 W Motor, weighing 265 pounds. According to Taylor, the charger was also stolen. 

"He just felt devastated because his grandparents bought it for him, for doing so well in Grade 11. He had an amazing amount of success doing online learning and he's continued to do that, after the pandemic. This [e-scooter] was just an absolute reward for his incredible work, [especially] when things are unbelievably hard for him."

The family's car had also been looked through, including the center console of the car, as well as the glove compartment. An iPad that had been in the garage was not taken, though glass mason jars were smashed and glass was left on the front driveway. 

"I think I'm still in shock; it's such an invasion of [one's] privacy and really, for me, it's more just about my son. He's just devastated," Taylor said. "When you're autistic and things don't go along with your daily activities that it'll throw him for a while. This will be really hard to come back from. This scooter was going to give him independence and he was going to be able to go and put in resumes in."

Taylor's family had been home that night, but neither the family nor the dogs were alerted to the intruder(s). When asked if she had a security camera in the home or on the outside perimeter, while she didn't have one previously, she will now be purchasing one. However, she is hopeful her neighbour's security cameras may have some clues. 

Taylor, whom Airdronians may be familiar with, is the Airdrie Food Bank's Marketing Communication Manager.

"I still have faith in people. I work for a non-profit because I care about our community. I care very deeply about Airdrie and I know that there are good people here and this was just one person who took advantage of an opportunity."

Taylor said she has contacted the RCMP and has posted on social media, pleading for the return of the scooter. 

"He only just got it and he’s devastated. It’s the only thing that allows him feel independent," she wrote on a local Airdrie Facebook group.

The e-scooter is identical to the photo provided below. It has no distinguishing marks as it is brand-new. 

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The Airdrie RCMP was not available for comment at the time of publication. 

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