Melbourne city councilman gives up his bicycle to help theft victim

Police say stolen bike was woman's only means of transportation

WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. – In a spontaneous act of kindness, West Melbourne City Councilman and former Deputy Mayor John Tice said he donated his own bicycle to help a woman whose bike had been stolen from outside the Publix on West New Haven Avenue, according to police.

"You don't even have to think about it. You've just got to do the right thing," said Tice.

Officers said the woman could be homeless and the theft happened outside the view of surveillance cameras, leaving police with little to go on and the woman without her only form of transportation.

"There was a lady there crying because somebody stole her bike," said Tice. "And so I asked the officer, I said, 'Listen, if you can't find her bike, let me know and I'll give her mine.' That's when she just bust out in tears. She was trying to say 'thanks' in between the tears."

Tice said two hours later, officers came to his door and he followed through on his word, giving the woman his bike.

"I aired up the tires and off they went," he said.

When News 6 asked Tice how long he thought about his decision to offer his bike, he replied, "Spontaneous. Wasn't even a thought.  I think that's what everybody should do. I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary."

Police are still looking for the woman's bicycle. It's a black and gray seven-speed mountain bike. If you have any information, you're asked to call police at 321-723-9673.


About the Author

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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