DES MOINES, Iowa Aug 26, 2005 — A man test-fitting a $17,000 artificial leg ran off without paying the bill, police said. Spectrum Prosthetics and Orthotics reported the theft of the specially designed leg this week.
Police said the crime happened after the man came in on Aug. 19 to be fitted for the prosthetic.
He "was allowed to take it for a couple hours to ensure that the fit was proper," a police report said.
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Sgt. David Murillo said the man didn't come back.
Todd Schweizer, one of the owners of the company, said employees had been working with the man for about a week.
"We were trying to meet his needs," Schweizer said.
The store was left with a cellular telephone number, but no one answers, said Detective Robert Lewis. There also was no answer at the door at an address left by the man.
Lewis said employees may have believed the man was coming back, and that's why they waited five days to report the theft.
