On July 31, someone walked into my backyard in Hays and stole my $300 24-speed Genesis mountain bike. Why?

This short note is directed to the thief.

Why would you deprive me of the time I was spending biking with my son? What made you decide you had the right to take something you knew was not yours?

Why would you walk onto my property in the middle of the afternoon, in broad daylight, and take off with my property?

I work hard for my money, and it is not every day I can afford to spend that amount on a luxury item, such as my missing bicycle.

Because of your actions, I had to contact the police, I had to give them the bike's serial number and a full description of the bike. Since a report was filed, the police have the right to stop anyone on a bike fitting the description I gave them.

I also had to go to the trouble of contacting the pawn stores in town with a description of my missing merchandise.

And I am taking the time to write this and praying the editor of The Hays Daily News will print it. And I am hoping that you, the thief, will see this. And I am gambling that you have a heart and may just return my property.

I am of the opinion that man is basically good, but with bad tendencies. People can be basically good but make bad decisions.

Correct the mistake you made and return my property, so I can call the police and tell them to stop looking. You took it; you can return it.

If not, and if you are caught, I will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. And since I can not afford to replace the loss at this time, I will ask the court for the full amount of the property you took. Can you afford it? Do you want your name in the paper over my bike?

You took a day of biking from both myself and my son. We both work and do not get to bike together for most of the day very often. I can't get back the time you stole from us, but you can redeem yourself.

Just put the bike back where you got it, and this can all be over.

Geoff Kuhn