Police: Child yells at thieves as they steal her bike, scooter

PALM BAY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Palm Bay police officers are investigating the alleged theft of bicycle and scooter from a driveway of a home near the 2000 block of Romana Southeast on Sunday afternoon.

What police say is so disturbing about the alleged crime, is that the thieves stole it right in front of the owner, a five-year-old girl with special needs, named Layla.

"It made me feel very sad" said Layla Turner, who turns six in December. "Those were my favorite. I got those from my grandma and grandpa."

Palm Bay Police Lt. Mike Bandish says the theft of the girl's bike and scooter was a heartless crime, and they are diligently investigating.

A police officer took a statement from Layla after she got off the bus from kindergarten on Tuesday in hopes of finding more clues. They also spoke to the mother's friend, who was inside the house babysitting as Layla was playing just outside the front door.

Lt. Bandish says the suspects were a man and woman in a red truck, but they don't know the model or have a license plate number. 

"We are gonna do everything we can to get this girl's bike and scooter back," Lt. Bandish added.

Shortly Layla's mom posted what happened on a community Facebook page, another Palm Bay mother, Toya Davis, offered to replace Layla's bicycle the very next day.

"If it were my kids or me, I would definitely want someone to do the same thing," Toya told FOX 35. "It was a no brainer for me. Anything to make them happy."

Layla says she is thrilled to have a new bike, and she thanked Davis when the Palm Bay mother visited the child at her home. And there were signs Davis' good deed is already having a positive effect on Layla.

"It's my favorite!" the child exclaimed, as she wrapped her arms around her new bike.