CHICAGO — Radio Flyer has come to the rescue for a West Loop family who saw their toddler's beloved wagon stolen from their front yard.
The theft happened Aug. 2 at the home of Aleona Domin of the West Loop. A Radio Flyer wagon used by Domin's daughter, Sasha, and a neighbor was taken right out of the family's front yard in an incident caught on video. They haven't seen it since.
Radio Flyer heard about the theft and contacted the family. Though Domin has already replaced the wagon, Radio Flyer is sending Domin's 17-month-old daughter a car-shaped, $120 "Steer and Stroll Coupe" to help make up for the loss.
“We felt badly when we heard this happened to the Domin family," Radio Flyer representatives said in a statement. "Radio Flyer’s purpose is fueling outdoor, active play so we wanted to make sure Sasha had a new toy to enjoy!”
The family received the package Monday and the toy is "adorable," Domin said. She thinks Sasha will love the gift.
Domin said last week that she was able to replace the wagon, but the ease with which the thief walked into her front yard and stole in the middle of the day had made the family question their safety.
A video from Aug. 2 shows a man walking up to the family's front gate and pushing it open, then using what appears to be a bag on rollers to keep the gate from closing behind him. He walks a few feet to the wagon, grabs the handle that was leaning up against the front of the house and pulls it away, closing the gate behind himself. He puts his bag inside the wagon — which has a canopy on top — and calmly walks away.
"I'm reacting to the fact not that this guy took it ... but that he felt very comfortable walking into my property," Domin said.
Concerned about the brazenness of the theft, the family — who moved from River North to this home just weeks before the incident — activated a security system and has been strict about locking their doors.
"I know in the city it's common stuff," Domin said. "It's just you move in and expect the best."
Watch the video of the theft:
