My name is Daniel, and I'm a 17-year-old from Midland, Texas.

This past summer, I worked hundreds of hours to save up for something I had dreamed about for months an electric dirtbike. I finally had enough, and it was delivered on Tuesday, September 9th. It was the perfect reward for a summer of hard work.

The excitement was short-lived. Just three days later, on Friday, September 12th, I took the bike to school as my main bicycle was broken. I securely left it in a fenced-off area at a local church, where I had been granted permission to park it.

When I went to retrieve it just three hours later, it was gone.

After days of calling and following up, I learned the full story. Because the church operates in separate sections, some staff members were unaware I had permission. They mistakenly believed the bike was abandoned and called the police. According to a church member I spoke with, the police advised them it was "abandoned property" and they were free to dispose of it. The church member then took my brand-new bike to Hobbs, New Mexico, and gave it away to some kids who were riding their bikes there.

My hard-earned electric bike, which I had saved for and cherished, was given away without my knowledge. since the cops told the church to dispose of it, I legally can’t do anything.

I have exhausted every option: I filed a police report , I've scoured online marketplaces, and I've posted on every local community group I can find. Unfortunately, without a car and my mom being unable to take me, getting to Hobbs to look for the bike is impossible for me.

I understand that I share some blame for leaving it, but I had no reason to believe a simple mistake in communication would lead to my property being given away.

I'm hoping to raise enough money to replace the bike and regain what I worked so hard for. Every donation, no matter how small, will help me get back on two wheels and help a summer of dedication not be a total loss.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.