A member of the Cobourg Police Service and area businesses helped a young angler get back to the sport he loves after his fishing gear was stolen last week.
Cobourg’s finest included Constable Nick Moeller and many other people who contributed to surprise 11-year-old Jonas Leavitt with a new fishing rod, reel, tackle and other items.
Jonas (age 11) was fishing in Midtown Creek around Buck Street last Thursday, May 13 at approximately 7 p.m.
Jonas told Today’s Northumberland he’s been fishing since he was three-years-old and absolutely lives for it.
“Whenever I’m stressed out or whenever I want to go fishing I get my stuff and pack it up and go fishing.”
But on this day, while he was in the creek, he heard someone above him by the creek where he had placed his fishing gear.
Jonas heard footsteps, looked up, “he had my bag and was booktailing it.”
In tears Jonas got on his skateboard and went home to tell his parents what happened.
As Jonas said, “they were absolutely mad.”
His father Pat, posted a message on social media to the suspect.
“To the (person) that robbed my 11 year old son while fishing at the creek today you got all his tackle that he has saved a lot of money to buy on his own fishing is his passion and you just robbed him,” part of the message read.
Jonas’ father Pat said fishing is everything to his son.
“The boy is out at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. his curfew – fishing. He’s met people along the river that leave him out little lunches, little drinks – it’s his passion. And Thursday night it was robbed – it was simply robbed.”
Within minutes of the post, Leavitt said, “the fishing community came together.”
Leavitt said he wasn’t looking for any charity, he just wanted to get the word out what happened to his son.
“A terrible thing turned into a wonderful blessing.”
When Leavitt saw the excitement in his son’s eyes and what Constable Moeller and businesses did for his son, “it brought tears to my eyes.”
Leavitt said when he wrote the post he had harsh words for the person that stole his son’s equipment, but by the night he was praying for the person and hope he gets the help he needs.
Cobourg Police Constable Nick Moeller said when he read the social media post on fishing sites, as a angler himself he wanted to do something for Jonas.
“I knew right away I had to help him. I do a lot of the same fishing he does so I knew it had to happen.”
When Moeller reached out to area businesses, the support was amazing.
“These are some of the stores that are hardest hit during COVID times, but that didn’t matter to them. They wanted to make sure that Jonas had fishing gear.”
“It says a lot about our community and that’s what I want everybody to take away from this.”
After the ceremony Jonas said, “I felt the generosity hitting me and my family – I really appreciate it.”
“I can’t wait to get back fishing.”
People who have helped out are:
BJ Tackle
Shines Live Bait
KypeFish Quality Flies
D’Bait Live Minnows & Wholesale Worms
Blow Up Your Birthday Gores Landing
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
