GRESHAM, Ore. -- Police are investigating a wheelchair theft in Gresham.

The Gresham Police Department reports a thief stole the electric wheelchair from a 44-year-old Portland woman while she was shopping at a Volunteers of America store Thursday night.

Gresham police say a 14-year-old boy accused of stealing the wheelchair, has been charged with theft.

Investigators said 38-year-old Carey Center of Portland needed the wheelchair for a family member and thought he was getting a deal when a pair of teenagers offered to sell it to him for $75.

But, police say, Center later saw a television news story about the wheelchair and learned it had been stolen from 44-year-old Pamela Prather of Portland while she was shopping at the Volunteers of America store in Gresham.

Center took the red 2003 Jazzy Jet power chair to the store, and police returned it to the victim.

According to the police, a local resident called with information about the incident, which led officers to the suspect.

No one saw the theft occur but police were able to obtain images from surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information about the suspects or wheelchair’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Gresham police at (503) 618-2719 or toll free at (888) 989-3505.