June 23, 2008

Gila County Sheriff John Armer turns over 75 bikes to Department of Corrections Deputy Warden Ron Lee. The bikes are from the Sheriff’s evidence storage, either found or confiscated as stolen and never claimed.

The bikes will be refurbished by DOCer inmates in the bike shop at the prison. The bikes are stripped down, and the best frames repainted and new parts added to make better than new bikes to be distributed at Christmas time to eligible children.

The DOC Maintenance Shop headed by Bill Culpepper and Deborah Webster have raffles to help purchase parts for the bikes, as well as donations by the Gila County Recycling and Landfill Management Department from their recycle fund. Other local contributors are Merle’s Auto Shop, Napa of Globe and Safford .

Last years record number of 100 bikes distributed at Christmas time to children through out the County was a tremendous success for the Department of Corrections, and Gila County Sheriff’s Office contribution should get this year off to a good start.