Disabled veteran wakes up to find his scooter missing

By Dana Cole
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008 - 02:57:48 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — Joseph “Sonny” Kingsley has lost his freedom.

For nearly two years now, the 69-year-old Air Force veteran has depended on a four-wheel electric scooter as his major source of mobility, using it to run errands, move about his neighborhood and go to the park.

But that changed when someone burglarized his garage, taking the scooter along with an oxygen tank as well as the family’s garage door opener. The burglary happened nearly a month ago, on Nov. 20.

“I really can’t get around without it because my legs are partially paralyzed and I’m on oxygen 24 hours a day,” said a frustrated Kingsley. “The person who did this not only stole my scooter, they stole my freedom along with it.”

Joseph Kingsley, a disabled veteran, talks of his electric scooter that was stolen from the garage of his Sierra Vista home. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)

Kingsley suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and degenerative disc disease in his lower back, a condition that has left him with limited use of his legs.

“Whoever stole it was just plain brazen,” he said. “The person walked right into my garage not long after my oxygen was delivered. I had fallen asleep for about 30 minutes, and when I went into the garage to get a soda, the scooter was missing.”

Kingsley immediately notified the Sierra Vista Police Department and filed a report. Because the scooter is valued at about $5,000, the crime is considered a felony. He also notified the Veterans Administration, the organization that gave him the scooter. Despite his health problems, Kingsley says he’s “fortunate to have such a close and loving family.” He has lived with his sister, Myrna (Chicky) Mueller and brother-in-law, Bob Mueller, for about 20 years.

The scooter is described as a burgundy-colored Rascal, with gray seats and the word “Rascal” written in gold letters. It has a basket mounted on the front. At the time it was stolen the scooter carried two flags, an American flag and a POW/MIA flag. It has a plug on the back so it can be charged.

The flags are easily removed, and it’s likely the scooter no longer has the flags on it.

“I’m hoping someone reads this article and recognizes the scooter,” said Chicky Mueller. “I was so upset when I found out it had been stolen. It’s not like he can take a walk around the block whenever he feels like it. Without the scooter, he can’t get around at all.”

Joseph Kingsley is offering a small reward for the return of his scooter. If anyone has information, call 458-2260 or contact him via e-mail flatlinejoe@live.com.

Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.

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Bob wrote on Dec 17, 2008 5:28 PM:

" This could be me! You don't know how precious a little bit of mobility is until you start to lose it. Joseph needs a shotgun too!
Some people just need to be horsewhipped! "

this is crazy wrote on Dec 17, 2008 12:24 PM:

" this is crazy how could someone do something so mean to someone . it is flat out ride and stupid they did it . i am always going to do things around town and will keep a eye out .also check the salvation army or st vention depaul stores dang low life thay have nothing better to do then to hurt someone the way they did it so wrong "

A Veterans Daughter wrote on Dec 17, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Please return his scooter if anyone has it. If not please local people get together and help this Veteran get another and replace those flags too. He fought for our freedom and this is a way to say thank you Sir, for serving your country. God Bless you!! "

Thats Horrific wrote on Dec 17, 2008 7:57 AM:

" I am so absolutely horrified that someone could do something so low and despicable. I'm sick to my stomach about this atrocity. Please tell us if this gentleman has gotten a replacement scooter or how we can go about helping him get one. God Bless you, Mr. Kingsley! "

people are mean wrote on Dec 17, 2008 7:37 AM:

" That's sad. I wonder if the local church assisting people in breaking the laws of this country would be willing to donate fund to this man to restore his freedom. If they don't, that's going to tell me everything I need to know about them. "

Kurt Obermeier wrote on Dec 17, 2008 6:29 AM:

" Some Low Life drug addict probably already sold it to get his next fix. This type of crime will continue until we get a handle on the meth problem in Sierra Vista. "