The Calgary Police Service says a professional bull rider’s stolen safety gear has been found and handed over to police by a member of the public.
Ty Pozzobon’s equipment was stolen from a vehicle parked outside a downtown restaurant during Stampede week. The rodeo cowboy from Merritt, B.C. said the gear, which included his vest, chaps, knee braces and helmet were custom made and worth thousands of dollars.
Pozzobon, who was in Calgary for the Ranchman’s Charity Bull Bustin’ event, reported the incident to police. The rodeo contestant issued a plea for the return of his gear on social media and in a CTV Calgary news story where he offered a cash reward.
On Thursday morning, the Calgary Police Service confirmed to CTV Calgary that gear belonging to Pozzobon had been located by a member of the public in some bushes a short distance from where the break-in occurred.
The bull rider had told CTV he planned to depart Calgary on Wednesday for northern California where he is scheduled to compete in the California Rodeo Salina. Police are attempting to reach Pozzobon to arrange the return of his gear.
CTV Calgary's Kevin Green contacted Pozzobon on Thursday shortly after the bull rider's flight arrived in Denver, Colorado en route to Salinas, California. The rodeo contestant was not aware his gear had been found and said he was "super excited" by the news. With a laugh, Pozzobon said his only concern was what to do with the money he had offered as a reward.
**Correction: The Calgary Police Service initially indicated to CTV that the gear theft had not been reported. Pozzobon did report the theft to police and a case number was opened.**
