It was a special piece of equipment that brought a smile Sam Marks' face - before it was snatched in broad daylight.
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Only a week ago, the 22-year-old - who lives with a case of autism so serious that he can't speak and needs a wheelchair to get around - received a new bike complete with training wheels and a handle for his dad Adam to push him.
It meant Sam was able to leave his wheelchair at home and ride the bike as he and his dad walked to take a look at the beach each morning and afternoon.
But on Thursday, a man wearing a dark hooded jacket stole the bike from the courtyard in front of Adam and Sam's Bar Beach home while the pair was only a few metres away.
It was mid afternoon and the bike had been briefly left unattended while Adam took Sam inside to use the bathroom.
Before they knew it, a neighbour was alerting them to the fact that an unidentified man was making off with Sam's new set of wheels.
Adam has reported the theft to police - he says he just wants his son's bike returned.
"The worst thing about it was the door was open, it was in a little courtyard and he just came in and took it," he said.
"[Sam is] a little autistic boy who brings no harm to anyone. He doesn't understand much, but always can make you smile.
"Sam's life is very routine - being pushed to the beach in his wheelchair and [watching] his Disney videos.
"The bike was only here a week, but it did bring some smiles to his face and mine. Instead of the wheelchair, he rode to the beach."
The bike is black with thick tyres - similar to an off-road mountain bike - and has large training wheels and a handle at the back.
Adam said it clearly looked like a piece of equipment used by a person living with a disability.
"[The thief] was riding a disability bike with training wheels, he must be a waste of space to steal that sort of bike - they know it's for a disability person," he said.
"I just don't understand someone stealing a bike that looks like it's for a person with a disability. It's really disappointing."
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