Akron Police gave an 89 year old Akron man a new bike today, to replace his bike that was stolen last week.

Thornapple Avenue resident, James Pint, says he was very happy to get the new bike, as his old one was stolen when he parked it in front of the grocery store last week. "It had a lock, but I didn't use it", he explained, noting that there isn't a bike rack in front of the store, so he parked it there unlocked. But, last Thursday, he says, when he was shopping, a store employee told him a kid had just stolen his bike. "I think he was 12 or 13", Pint says.

Akron Police Chief James Nice says after they he got the report about Pint's bike being stolen, they decided to replace it, and while they have often given bikes to kids in the past--he couldn't remember ever giving one away to someone Pint's age. "It's a wonderful thing to see folks still riding bicycles," he says, "especially on a day like today--it's an absolutely beautiful day. You'd hate to be without a bicycle, if you like riding."

As to Pint's reaction to the gift, he says "I'm really surprised, and I thank the police department very much". He adds that he rides about "3 or 4 times aweek and maybe more if the weather is nice", mainly to the grocery store, and to church.