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Two all-terrain trackchairs — intended to help disabled Hoosiers enjoy public lands — have been stolen from Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, the Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.
The battery-powered trackchairs, worth about $25,000 apiece, were purchased with a grant from the Lilly Endowment. DNR spent about $1 million to buy 45 trackchairs and portable generators for use at every Indiana state park and state park inn — free of charge.
The trackchairs were delivered in March to fanfare from agency officials and advocates.
The break-ins occurred between 9 p.m. on April 30 and 6 a.m. on May 1, according to DNR.
State conservation officers Capt. Jet Quillen said Fort Harrison staff close the gates for vehicle access at 9 p.m. There isn’t a fence around the entire property, however.
Investigators with DNR’s Law Enforcement Division are looking into how the thieves gained access to the property, he said. Fort Harrison didn’t have cameras installed in that area.
Six agency buildings were forcibly entered — windows shoved open, doors kicked in — and vandalized. The agency now must replace the door frames damaged in the break-in.
“Obviously, we secure all of our stuff in locked buildings … before employees go home for the night,” Quillen said. “So … we really don’t ever usually have this type of issue.”
Asked whether DNR will bulk up its security, Quillen said, “We’re in discussions, looking into what we can do to make sure this never happens again.”
The agency is “not ruling out the possibility that someone could try it again” and steal trackchairs from other state parks or inns, so staff are also considering getting trackers for the others.
The theft also included two Vietnam War-era helmets.
Investigators are actively following up on leads and request assistance from anyone who may have information related to the thefts, officials said.
The agency is offering a $5,500 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the trackchairs and the arrest of those responsible. A private donor contributed $5,000 to the award amount and the Indiana Parks Alliance put up the remaining $500.
“These chairs are pretty distinguishable,” Quillen said. They’re not the common mobility device. So, if someone sees something or you hear someone talking about it — that goes with the helmets as well — … you know, any information can be helpful. … No information is too small.”
Tips can be directed to the Indiana Conservation Officers Dispatch Center at 812-837-9536 or emailed to [email protected].
Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: [email protected].
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