Police recover stolen sport wheelchairs

Nearly two dozen specialized sport wheelchairs, valued at around $4,000 each, have been recovered by Saskatoon police months after the trailer in which they were stored was stolen.

A 37-year-old man now faces two charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, while a second 37-year-old man is charged with one count of possession of stolen property over $5,000.

In July, 34 specialized wheelchairs — designated for the Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association’s NRG mini wheelchair basketball program — were reported stolen after the trailer was taken from a compound on Cynthia Street.

According to Saskatoon police on Monday, charges were laid following an investigation by patrol members and the stolen auto unit. On Friday, with assistance from RCMP, investigators executed a search warrant at a rural property near Dalmeny. They found 20 wheelchairs, along with wheelchair tires, jerseys, nets and basketballs.

Three stolen vehicles were also found.

Dalmeny is approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

Following the theft, “we were heartbroken. There’s no other word,” said Heather Kuttai, whose able-bodied preteen daughter plays both wheelchair and standup basketball, days after the wheelchairs were stolen.

“As a longtime disability activist I was heartbroken, because this program and the people who run it provide the most excellent example of inclusion and integration that there is.”

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