VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — 4 year-old Mac McConnell doesn’t speak often, but this afternoon he had a message he wanted to share.
“That’s him thanking you. He knows sign language, that’s him thanking you,” his mother Krystin McConnell explained as Mac used his hands to express his gratitude.
Mac’s specialized wheelchair was in his mother’s car when someone stole it from a parking space at 7-Eleven off South Newtown Road on Tuesday afternoon.
However, on Thursday he got his freedom back.
“I could care less really about the truck I just want my son’s wheelchair now he can go to school. He can play with his sister. He’s mobile now,” Krystin said smiling.
To their surprise, the people behind locating the Nissan Pathfinder don’t wear badges.
A local group called the US Flag Runners Virginia Division hunted it down after seeing the McConnells’ story on social media.
The group promotes patriotism and community service while flying flags high off their vehicles.
Chris Jones, the president of the group, shared the story to their Facebook page telling the members to keep an eye out.
“I put out the markings and everything and we started looking,” Jones explained.
15 minutes later a member named Nicholas Sparks, who happens to be a tow truck driver, got a hit.
He told Jones it was called in as an abandoned car sitting at the 7-Eleven off Ballentine Boulevard.
Sparks tells 10 On Your Side he immediately recognized the car window decals described in the story.
“As soon as I got off the phone with him I got in contact with the aunt, letting her know ‘hey the wheelchair is coming home. It’s in the vehicle. I don’t know if anything else was taken police will go through and do an inventory all that but I’m letting you know the most prized possession of what needed to come back, is coming back,'” he stated.
The car was ultimately taken to a tow lot, with the wheelchair and car seat safe inside.
“Thank you 10 On Your Side for helping me find my truck, my son’s wheelchair, everything, thank you,” Krystin added.
The McConnells were able to get the car seat and wheelchair out but couldn’t take the car home because police still have to assess it.
While the car is in decent shape, there is some damage to the front of the car and wires cut from the inside.
If you know who did this, please contact police.