Jerkass Steals Marine’s Harley Trike with No Remorse
Three-wheeled ’94 Road King was veteran’s only form of transportation, used for VA appointments and adventures alike.
Thieves are the bane of every Harley rider’s existence, tied with those whose devotion to four wheels and an enclosed body grants them a sense of delusional entitlement to ownership of the open road over everyone else. Losing one’s bike to a crash is horrible enough, but losing one to a jerkass is a special kind of pain.
And when the thief steals from a military veteran, they might as well twist the knife in the back of the already heartbroken Harley owner counterclockwise. Denver ABC affiliate KMGH-TV has the tale of such a theft, involving that of a veteran Marine’s ’94 Road King trike.
“I love riding. I love the feel of the wind in my face and in my beard. It gives me a sense of pride and a sense of freedom,” said David Johnson.
Around June 21 at 1 a.m., though, that freedom he not only enjoyed but fought for so others can enjoy it, too, was snatched by an unpatriotic toolbag before the cameras of Johnson’s secured Colorado home in much the same way he likely steals candy from babies.
“There’s no remorse from the guy,” Johnson said. “He walked up to the bike like it was his, flipped on the switch, got on it and took off. When I looked at this at about 1 in the morning, my heart sunk. I felt like my baby was getting away, my own child.”
Johnson uses his Road King trike to do everything from rolling down the Rockies with his wife — including plans for a trip to Pikes Peak, no less — to visiting his local VA hospital for treatment. It’s also his only mode of transportation, as he’s otherwise disabled, with limited mobility after years of giving his all on the field of battle in service to our country.
“I’m a veteran. I have appointments from time to time at the VA,” Johnson said. “I have a slipped disc right now I’m trying to care for; my knee’s pretty tore up, my shoulder — I have a rotator cuff that’s pretty torn up.”
Johnson’s Road King trike has a few unique features that’ll make it easier to track it down. Aside from the tassels on the handlebars, the Harley’s fuel tank is black and gray with a red pinstripe below the MoCo’s logo, and one of the fender pieces is missing on the right side of the trike. The police also have the jackwagon’s fingerprints, because most thieves aren’t smart, of course.
That said, Johnson hopes the hoser realizes his error, and returns the Harley to the veteran Marine. In the meantime, if you can help bring his ride back and deliver justice, give the Denver Police Department a ring at 720-913-2000.
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