Boise officers play Santa Claus, replace boy’s bike

BOISE – It’s no wonder Boise dispatchers are calling police Cpl. John Tudbury “Santa” instead of officer.

Tudbury bought a bicycle and other gifts for a teenage boy whose bike was reportedly stolen Wednesday as the teen was going to the mall to buy a Christmas present for his mom.

Cpl. Shane Hartgrove offered to split the expense with Tudbury when he heard what happened. And employees at Shopko, where Tudbury bought the bike, also pitched in to help.

“This was just the right time and the right thing to do for this kid,” Tudbury said.

Matt Brooks, 15, was riding his bicycle to Boise Towne Square when he met an 18-year-old boy as he traveled along Cole Road, Matt said. They began talking and taking turns riding Matt’s bike. Then the 18-year-old suddenly rode away, Matt said.

Tudbury drove around with Matt for more than an hour searching for the bike.

The pair eventually found the 18-year-old, who said someone else had the bike and he wasn’t sure where to find it. Matt decided not to press charges after the older teen apologized and promised Matt he would send him money for the bike he took, Tudbury said.

Convinced the 18-year-old wouldn’t return the bike, the officer tried to change Matt’s mind, but the boy refused.

Tudbury said he couldn’t stand the idea of someone taking advantage of Matt, whose only transportation was the old Schwinn BMX-style bike.

“It’s the kind of lesson you shouldn’t have to learn at 15,” he said.

After taking Matt home, Tudbury decided to go to the nearby Broadway Avenue Shopko to buy the boy a new bike and a gift for his mom.

Tudbury had learned Matt had just $2 to spend on his mom’s Christmas gift during their time together.

The family doesn’t own a phone or a car, and money is tight, Matt’s mother, Annette Brooks said.

“I couldn’t afford to buy him a bike,” Annette said. “We’re just barely making it.”

Tudbury called Hartgrove, his on-duty sergeant, to tell him about his shopping plans.

“He says, ‘I’ll meet you there,’ ” Tudbury said.

“Not only does he support me, but he splits the cost.”

“John told me about it and I just thought, ‘We’ve got to do something about this,’ ” Hartgrove said.

Tudbury and Hartgrove bought Matt a mountain bike worth about $90, a bike lock and another surprise Matt will give his mother today.

The two officers went to Matt’s house later Wednesday night to give him the bike.

“He just went nuts,” Tudbury said.

“He was out in his bare feet just screaming.”

When Matt first saw the shiny red bike in front of his house, he said he tried to tell the officers they found the wrong bike. Then they said they bought the bike for him.

“I was like, yeah!” Matt said.

“He was hugging it,” his mother said.

Shopko employee Scott Irish decided to help as well after hearing what the Boise officers did. Several employees pitched in to buy a $60 gift card for the Brooks family.

Irish also plans to give Matt a bike helmet.

Hartgrove has been with the police department for 29 years and will retire in about five months.

He said officers often want to pitch in to help crime victims, but they can’t help in every situation because their finances are limited.

Hartgrove and Tudbury used their own money to buy the gifts.

Other officers offered to help after hearing the story, they said.

Tudbury, who has been with the department 24 years, said the bike surprise made his Christmas.

“It was absolutely priceless seeing him,” Tudbury said. “He was just beaming.”