A Las Vegas family is pleading for help after 16-year-old Jaiden Rector, who lives with cystic fibrosis, says the electric bike he received from Make-A-Wish was swiped while he popped into a McDonald's to grab food last Tuesday. Jaiden, who relied on the e-bike for quick trips and to keep pace with his friends, left it outside for just a few minutes with the keys in his pocket. When he came back out, it was gone.
The bike, delivered in December as Jaiden's wish, had opened up a new level of independence that his mother says he had never really experienced before. Now the family is trying to track down the missing bike or replace it, and they are turning to neighbors and the wider community for help.
How The Family Says The Theft Unfolded
According to KSNV, Jaiden told reporters he usually stays on the e-bike and orders from the drive-thru. On the night of the theft, though, he says he was told to come inside to place his order, so he parked the bike, took the keys, and headed into the restaurant.
By the time he finished ordering and walked back out, the bike had vanished. His mother told KSNV that they tried canvassing the area but turned up nothing. Ashley Rector said the family is devastated and is now focused on either finding the original bike or finding a way to replace it.
Family Launches Fundraiser And Describes The Gift
To try to restore what Jaiden lost, the family created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a replacement e-bike, along with a new helmet, lock, and funds to print flyers, according to the fundraiser page. GoFundMe also notes that the original e-bike was donated by a company called Happy Run and that the owner personally drove the bike from California to Las Vegas to hand it over.
The page lays out the family's appeal for both tips about the stolen bike and donations that could help get Jaiden back the mobility and independence he had only recently started to enjoy.
Why E-Bikes Are On Local Authorities' Radar
The theft comes as local officials are already paying closer attention to electric bikes and scooters across the Las Vegas Valley. Police have warned residents about an increase in incidents involving the devices, some of which function more like small motorcycles and can reach high speeds.
Fox5 Las Vegas reported that Henderson police are partnering with schools to educate parents and students on safety rules and legal limits tied to e-bike use. At the same time, advocacy groups and parents have been calling more loudly for clearer regulations and consistent enforcement as e-bikes and scooters become a more common sight on neighborhood streets.
What The Family Wants From Neighbors Now
Ashley Rector says the family is hoping neighbors will check security cameras and share any surveillance footage or tips that might point to who took the bike or where it went, according to KSNV. She also floated the idea of neighbors banding together to form a watch group to help prevent similar thefts in the future.
The family is urging anyone with information to contact local police or reach out through the GoFundMe page. In the meantime, they are trying to turn a demoralizing loss into a push for stronger neighborhood vigilance and a swift replacement so Jaiden can return to the routines that support his health and sense of normalcy.
