Paralympian's equipment stolen during weekend race

EAST POINT, Ga. — A Paralympian says special equipment she needs to race was stolen in south Fulton County.

On a normal Saturday, racing venue The Dick Lane Velodrome is packed with cyclists there to compete in races.

East Point Police Maj. Russel Popham told Channel 2’s Liz Artz that Paralympic athlete Jennifer Schuble was racing Saturday when her car was broken into. John Dowd, who officiates the races, was also a victim.

According to police reports Dowd lost a laptop along with three hard drives. Dowd teaches in Athens, but Artz talked to him over the phone Tuesday. %

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“They're not going to get much out of it. It's going to cost me and Jennifer many times more than what they'll get for it," Dowd told Artz.

Dowd reported to police racing programs were stolen that he can't replace.

“It is 19 pages of coding that I need to replace," Dowd said.

Dowd said Jennifer lost a bag filled with special equipment she needs to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

“I suspect that most of the stuff is in a dumpster somewhere. You can't do anything with it; they grabbed some bags and didn't know what they were getting," Dowd said.

There are no cameras in the area and no witnesses. Popham said that is making it difficult to track down the thieves.

Popham said they'll beef up neighborhood patrols during events and races from now on.

Schuble also reported that her passport, credit cards, ID and wallet were stolen.

Cox Media Group