COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOWO)— A Columbus woman has recovered two custom tricycles stolen from her garage, valued at over $10,000, after a combination of social media tips and a coordinated police operation.

Eva Simons discovered the theft on December 8 when she found her detached garage broken into, with the side door forced open and the garage door left half up. Both her red and blue tricycles were gone. The bikes hold special significance, as Simons lost her left leg below the knee in a 2022 dog attack and used the tricycles to return to cycling.

Simons posted about the theft on Facebook, reaching local neighborhood and cycling groups. Within hours, a stranger reported spotting one of the trikes behind a car wash, allowing her to recover it immediately. Two days later, social media and community tips led Simons to her remaining tricycle, which was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

She coordinated with Columbus Police Community Response Teams to arrange a sting operation. Plain-clothes and uniformed officers recovered the tricycle, and the seller was arrested on outstanding warrants. Future charges are pending.

Simons celebrated the recovery by taking a ride on the restored tricycles despite snowy conditions. She said the experience highlighted the positive power of social media in aiding law enforcement and recovering stolen property.

Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua said the recovery was rare, noting that officers often do not get the stolen property back. Simons said she felt fortunate for the community and police support that returned the tricycles that helped her regain her independence and passion for cycling.