A local family’s holiday heartbreak turned into a celebration of community kindness this week after Titusville police and a local ministry stepped in to replace three stolen bicycles.

The incident began on Christmas Eve when Oasha Marie reported that her children’s bikes were stolen from her front door in Titusville. The theft occurred during a brief five-minute window while her husband was inside the home preparing to put the bikes by the tree.

The Titusville Police Department responded to the call, but Officers Lewis and Chappell went beyond a standard investigation. They contacted Royce “Scooter” Morrison, Pastor of LifePointe Ministries, who facilitated the donation of three new bikes, locks, and lights.

On Dec. 27, the new bikes were delivered to the family via a police duty truck. Marie noted that her children were completely unaware of the surprise.

“They were absolutely stoked,” Marie said. “They didn’t know the first set was taken, so they didn’t know these were coming”.

During the delivery, Sgt. Baker and Officer Pollard officially swore the children in as TPD Junior Deputies. Morrison, who described the event as “communirocity” in action, noted that the gesture ensured “evil did not get a win”.

“They’ve been through a lot, so having people we don’t know look out for them speaks volumes,” Marie said. “Especially on Christmas. Our small town is really a unique place”.