FRANKLIN, Ohio -- There was heartbreak in Franklin Tuesday morning as a young autistic man woke up to find a thief had stolen his beloved Kubota RTV.
Ever since Ryan Fisher, 21, got his little Kubota utility vehicle, his family said he's had a purpose. Ryan gets into it and pretends to work around their 3-acre property.
Ryan's family got him the Kubota when he turned 18 so he could drive, like everyone else. It gave him a feeling of freedom that comes with being able to drive somewhere on his own.
"I'm not happy about this, and I cried this morning," Ryan said.
He had the vehicle customized with some help from his brother, including "Ryan Fisher Equipment" written on both sides, Cat stickers on the front and custom mud flaps.
Warren County deputies believe the thief was able to drive off with the small work vehicle sometime after midnight. It turns out that the key to one works as a key to all of the same model, according to Monroe Kubota dealer Zimmer Tractor. There are steps that can be taken to make them harder to steal.
"I just don't understand what type of person could do this," Ryan's sister, Amanda Fisher, said.
Ryan's mom, Theresa Fisher, said if the Kubota isn't found, they'll figure out a way to get a new one. In the meantime, Warren County deputies are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.
"Just bring it back," Theresa Fisher said. "Bring it back as quietly as you took it and we don't care. We just want it back."
