Suspect steals wheelchair from para athlete training in Polk County
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the person or persons who stole a wheelchair from a para athlete while he was training on a lake.
It was an unwelcome surprise for a snowbird.
Para athlete Ben Brown comes down to Polk County from Nova Scotia to train this time of year because it is still cold back home.
He is a world-ranked para athlete in kayaking.
![Para athlete Ben Brown trains in Polk County because it is too cold in his home country of Canada.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2023/03/932/524/WTVT-Still-2023-03-24-05h55m03s790.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Para athlete Ben Brown trains in Polk County because it is too cold in his home country of Canada.
Brown, who is world-ranked as a Para athlete in kayaking, was training on Lake Cannon in Winter Haven Monday afternoon when he went back to shore after a tough workout to find his seat cushion and sunscreen on the ground and his $5,000 wheelchair was gone.
READ: Paralympic athletes, veterans compete International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament in Tampa
"It is a greaseball move," he commented to FOX 13. "Who does that?"
The Polk Sheriff’s Office doesn’t know either and is still looking for the culprit.
![Someone stole para-athlete Ben Brown's wheelchair while he was training on a Winter Haven lake.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2023/03/932/524/WTVT-Still-2023-03-24-05h55m54s489.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Someone stole para-athlete Ben Brown's wheelchair while he was training on a Winter Haven lake.
Brown ended up in a wheelchair years ago after a motocross accident.
"I was training for a race, came up short on a jump, got thrown over the handlebars," he explained.
The bike ended up on top of him.
READ: Specialty wheelchairs help athletes thrive
The crash didn’t slow him down. As a matter of fact, his determination to compete never waived. He went on to seriously compete in other para sports, including paddling, wheelchair racing, basketball, and sled hockey.
![Para athlete Ben Brown talking to his friend Sergeant Paul Butler.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2023/03/932/524/WTVT-Still-2023-03-24-05h55m45s666.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Para athlete Ben Brown talking to his friend Sergeant Paul Butler.
His buddy, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Paul Butler is impressed by his never-ending passion.
"That spirit. Never quit. Never say die. Never give up," commented Butler.
So when Brown’s wheelchair was stolen, he immediately called Butler.
![Para athlete Ben Brown is world-ranked.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2023/03/932/524/WTVT-Still-2023-03-24-05h54m34s716.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Para athlete Ben Brown is world-ranked.
Butler sent several deputies to help. They found the chair a little more than an hour later abandoned in a pavilion on the lake.
"It was infuriating," said Butler.
The theft may have been a prank, but if the thief or thieves are caught they could be charged with grand theft, a felony.