Police buy bike for Middletown girl whose Easter present was stolen

After an 8-year-old Middletown girl had the bike she received for Easter stolen this week, the Fraternal Order of Police Associations (FOPA) turned her “bad situation” into a happy occasion.

Someone stole Raelyn Basham’s pink bike Monday from her porch, in her fenced backyard and “broke Raelyn’s heart,” according to the Middletown Division of Police Facebook page.

Sgt. Steve Ream and Officer Becki French contacted FOPA No. 2 President Perry Davis about replacing the bike, and after school Wednesday, together with Maj. Andy Warrick, they presented Raelyn with a new bike that cost the FOPA $93.

Davis said after Raelyn was given the bike “her eyes popped and she smiled from ear to ear.”

Raelyn’s parents, Rudy and Tiffany Basham, said they were thankful for the efforts of the FOPA.

“They brought 100 percent joy,” Tiffany said. “The look on her face was priceless.”

The Bashams have taken steps to make the possibility Raelyn’s bike gets stolen again: They have put a bike rack in the garage.

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