Stolen ATV was going to be sold to pay for college

Even before Jacob Neal graduated from Inter-Lakes High School earlier this month he began saving for tuition at New Hampshire Community Technical College — Laconia where he intends to study business.

To jump start his college fund, Neal decided to sell his ATV, which he chained to a tree alongside Route 107 outside his uncle's home. He quickly found a buyer and arranged to swap the ATV for cash, but when they arrived, the ATV was gone. "I went out there with my buyer," Neal recalled. "He had the cash and everything and it was gone. They'd cut the lock and taken it."

Today, in place of the ATV, there is a hand-painted sign reading "Thanks for stealing my 4 wheeler. That was for a college fund" with a telephone number, 527-9461. Neal estimated that the ATV is worth between $1,500 and $2,000. He said that he reported the theft to the Belmont Police, but because he does not have the VIN number there is little they can do. Neal said that he is in the process of getting the VIN number.

Meanwhile, Neal would appreciate any information that might lead to the whereabouts of his ATV. He believes that the theft occurred late on the night of Tuesday, June 5 or early the next morning. He described the vehicle as a 2001 red and black Honda 400-EX, which has oversized tires mounted on the rear and has been stripped of all graphics. Neal can be reached at 527-9461.