HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) – A Highlands Ranch teenager who relies on a special wheelchair for his independence had his chair stolen.

Pierce Grandchamp, 18, has spina bifida and has never been able to walk. On Sunday night someone stole his custom chair from his father’s house on Seramonte Drive. He’s now been forced to use a backup chair that doesn’t fit his needs as well.

Grandchamp said he left his chair on the sidewalk in front of the house for only 15 minutes while he gave his sister a quick ride in his car.

“I felt comfortable leaving it there hundreds of times,” Grandchamp said. “I left my chair on the sidewalk by my car so I could easily get back into it … and when I got back it was gone.”

An image of the wheelchair (credit: Grandchamp Family)

Grandchamp said his stolen chair is worth anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. It was only three years old and customized to fit his back.

“It’s like stealing somebody’s legs. It’s how I get around,” he said. “Bring it back, leave it out here, no questions asked, and just leave.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Billions of dollars worth of wheelchairs are stolen every year, mostly in cases of health care fraud.