Developing story, more to come.
Senior English major David Rinella’s TiLite ZRa wheelchair was stolen off of his front porch on Amherst Street between 4 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Rinella reported the incident to both UP Public Safety and the Portland Police Department. He has asked that anyone with information contact the police and reference case number 15326857.
Rinella posted information about the incident at 5 p.m. this evening on his personal Tumblr page, along with a screenshot from the anonymous social media site Yik Yak.
“The second photo is someone on Yik Yak claiming responsibility because ‘I don’t really need it,’... I have never been this hurt, angry, or afraid in my life,” Rinella wrote in the post.
The Tumblr post has since received 26,605 combined likes and reblogs.
After receiving support via social media, Rinella began an online fundraiser using the website YouCaring. As of 11:38 p.m. Sunday night, he had received $40 of a total $3,000 goal. According to Rinella, if the wheelchair is returned before the donation period ends, he will be donating any funds raised to charity.
“If you know anything at all, please inform me and the cops. If you don’t, please signal boost, I’m begging you,” Rinella wrote. “I need my mobility back.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately reported that Public Safety needs a subpoena to search dorm rooms.
