Posted on: Thursday, November 20, 2003

Suspect sought in ramp theft

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police are asking for the public's help in finding a man who stole a wheelchair ramp from the garage of a home in the 3200 block of Kaimuki Avenue at about 8 a.m. on Monday.

The suspect, described as a Caucasian male, drove a red Jeep Wrangler with a black canvas top into the driveway and removed a new six-foot long portable wheelchair ramp from the covered garage, police said.

Witnesses said a girl was sitting in the Jeep's passenger seat.

The steel ramp valued at about $400 belongs to 15-year-old Renisha Jahier who has multiple disabilities and uses a wheelchair. The ramp was used to help the teenager get into the family van.

The suspect is described as 5 feet 10, 160 to 180 pounds, 25 to 30 years old, with wavy blond hair, a fair complexion and wearing a white T-shirt, dark shorts and slippers.

Renisha's mother, Cheryl Jahier, said she cannot believe someone would steal a wheelchair ramp because it is hurting someone that needs help the most.

"If this guy reads this, if he would just bring it back I would appreciate it and forgive him," Cheryl Jahier said. "People were saying maybe it was a skateboarder or biker that want to use it to do tricks."

The ramp is about 5 feet long, weighs about 50 pounds and folds in half.

Honolulu CrimeStoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information which results in the arrest of a wanted person. Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on a cellular phone.