Disabled man’s mobility taken in street theft
Custom three-wheeler was Jeff Elsbree’s sole means of transport

By PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer
First published: Friday, September 5, 2008

ALBANY — Stolen bikes are commonplace, but when someone cut the lock and made off with Jeff Elsbree’s custom three-wheeler, an otherwise routine theft robbed a 52-year-old disabled man of his independence.

Elsbree, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident when he was 18, was being fitted for a new arm brace at a physical therapist’s office on Madison Avenue Tuesday evening when his trusty red tricycle was stolen.

He locked it up with a chain and padlock, as usual. He came outside 30 minutes later to find his only mode of transportation gone.

“I don’t try to hurt anyone. I try to help people. Then I get my bike stolen,” said Elsbree, who speaks haltingly and has suffered seizures. His left arm and hand are withered and his left leg is in a brace. He uses a crutch and walks with difficulty.

Police told him that it’s unlikely, as more time elapses, that the trike will be recovered.

Read the rest of the article.