A boy, a bell, and a bike equal tears of joy for folks in Addison’s Wild Fire Harley-Davidson

Good people abound, if you just look. Twenty-year-old Austin Vitello is one of them. So are the members of the Addison Police Department.

Here’s the heartwarming story of how they came together over a Harley–Davidson bicycle.

Austin Vitello loves motorcycles, especially Harley-Davidsons. Coming in numerous times a week, he’d walk from his home in Addison, about three miles in the freezing cold or blazing heat just to hang out at Wild Fire Harley Davidson–talking to employees and customers … being around the bikes. Eventually, he became a store helper—doing odds and ends around the dealership. Then, he became part of the team and the store family. Last June, Wild Fire gave Austin a Harley-Davidson bicycle. He loved the bike and rode it EVERYWHERE, all the time.

Early September, his bike was stolen from his home. Crushed doesn’t even begin to describe how he felt. His sister posted on Facebook explaining that his bike was stolen and the outpouring of support for Austin was overwhelming. Strangers, friends, the dealership…everyone shared the post to try to help Austin locate his stolen bicycle. Twelve different strangers offered to donate bikes to him.

Then, the police got involved.

The Addison Police Department—that has been searching and continues to hunt for the stolen bike—contacted Wild Fire Harley-Davidson wanting to replace Austin’s bicycle. So, the dealership customized the new bike with stickers, and other Harley-Davidson branded items to replicate the old bike as closely as possible.

As a surprise for Austin, the Addison Police Department presented the new bicycle to him at the September 16 School of Harley Rock: Battle of the Kids Bands event. While at the event, Austin was asked to ring the legendary Freedom Bell–an occurrence that’s exciting enough for any Harley lover. And, just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, on cue, in walked two officers from the Addison Police Department with his new replacement bicycle. A very emotional Austin was so overwhelmed he couldn’t physically contain his excitement –jumping up and down and smiling ear to ear. Friends, family, employees and customers cheered Austin on as he took a joyous test loop around the store.

The APD is still working to locate Austin's original bike, as they explained when they presented him with the new replacement. In the meantime, this bike will help him get to work.

Austin and his story have captured the hearts of people all over social media. It is the kind of happy ending everyone loves to experience, and Austin is the kind of young man whose happiness has brought tears to the eyes of everyone who has shared in this moment whether they were there live for it or one of the nearly 20,000 people who saw it on Facebook.

Here are a few videos showing Austin’s Harley love that have stolen the hearts of tens of thousands on Facebook:

Austin receiving his new bike

https://www.facebook.com/WildFireHD/videos/10155430478825239/

Austin’s 20th birthday – receiving a Harley vest

https://www.facebook.com/WildFireHD/videos/pcb.10155424774250239/10155424773595239/?type=3&theater

Austin’s receiving his original Harley-Davidson bicycle

https://www.facebook.com/WildFireHD/videos/10155151568210239/?hc_ref=ARTjmzuyK0mrP9SVxQuyWGiB8n0mRGoArNPUJfZlbALUG1w2l-PLNZzXG8k44wVBAro&pnref=story