KU’s Simien searching for his stolen truck

By Gary Bedore     Jul 1, 2004

Somebody stole Wayne Simien’s black 1992 GMC Sierra truck Tuesday morning.

Needless to say, Kansas University’s senior basketball forward wants his wheels back — the sooner the better.

“It was a gift from my dad when I was in high school. It’s like a family heirloom,” Simien said of the truck with the words “Big Dub” and the number “23” emblazoned on the back window.

The vehicle, which also has tinted windows, 20-inch chrome wheels and license plate “WAS” (Wayne Anthony Simien) was broken into and taken from a Chase Court apartment parking lot while Simien was sleeping in his apartment.

Two hundred dollars worth of unauthorized gasoline charges on Simien’s credit card were traced to Topeka gas stations, meaning it was possible the truck today could be somewhere in the state’s capital city.

“I don’t know anybody who has a motive,” said Simien, whose wallet and three Bibles were in the vehicle when it was lifted.

One of the Bibles was found by Lawrence resident Mike Simmons, who came across Simien’s belongings on a street near Holcom Park during Simmons’ walk at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.

“I’m kind of bummed they tossed my Bible out the window,” Simien said. “They could have used the Bibles in my car more than the car itself. I had three Bibles in there. My ace one is still in there.”

Simmons, who is a KU fan, found the wallet, Bible, insurance papers and hand lotion on the street, plus two floormats.

The floormats floored him.

“The thought crossed my mind (of a possible car-jacking of Simien) because of the floormats, but then I read he’s 6-foot-9 and 240 (pounds) and I really didn’t think anything would have happened to him,” Simmons said.

“I called Wayne and left a message telling him to call his credit card companies, and called the police who came over and took his belongings (as evidence).”

After waking up, Simien listened to the message from Simmons on his answering machine — called Simmons back to thank the Good Samaritan — then hustled to the parking lot.

“I expected to see my window busted; instead I see an empty parking space,” Simien said.

Simien phoned his parents, who rushed to Lawrence from their hometown of Leavenworth to gather their son’s belongings at police headquarters but were told rules required Wayne to pick them up himself.

“One funny thing about all this … Wayne went up to get his billfold. He said all the people at the police station were lined up to get his autograph,” Simien’s mom, Margaret, said.

“He said he was thinking, ‘Why aren’t you out looking for my truck, solving the crime?’ He had a good attitude and was joking about it,” she added.

The theft of the truck, of course, is no laughing matter.

“We know it was taken after 2 a.m.,” Margaret said, “because a neighbor was walking the dog and said the truck was there.

Maybe a KU fan will help retrieve the truck. Anybody with information should call authorities.

“We’re hoping Jayhawk nation can help Wayne out,” Wayne Simien Sr. said. “There are a lot of fans out there who might know something.”

The return of the truck certainly would please the younger Simien.

“He’s shaken up because it was his dad’s truck,” Margaret Simien said. “His dad bought it new when Wayne was in junior high. His dad gave it to him Wayne’s junior year and bought another one. Wayne thought he was in seventh heaven. He’s always said, ‘Even when I go on (in life) I’ll keep this.'”

Thomas a Wizard: Former KU guard Billy Thomas will play for the Washington Wizards’ summer-league team. Thomas played in the Italian pro league for Trieste last year.

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