Neighbors Clash Over Stolen Scooters: AITA for Refusing to Replace Them?

"Neighbor demands I replace stolen scooters of his kids left in my yard, but I feel unfairly blamed - AITA?"

Sophia

Published in Interesting
27 Oct 2025

Neighbors Clash Over Stolen Scooters: AITA for Refusing to Replace Them?

In a quiet suburban neighborhood where everyone knows each other, a recent incident involving stolen scooters has sparked a heated debate. Two young boys, Sam and Alex, left their scooters in a neighbor's yard, only for them to be taken in a short span.

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The boys' father, Mr. Thompson, understandably upset, demanded that the neighbor, a 35-year-old man, replace the stolen scooters.

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The man, known for his amicable relationships with neighbors, sympathizes with the kids but refuses to take responsibility for the theft. Despite suggesting alternatives such as chipping in for new scooters or helping search for the stolen ones, Mr.

Thompson didn't take it well. Accusations of being heartless and uncaring have created tension between them.

The man questions whether he's in the wrong for not wanting to replace the scooters, prompting the Reddit thread to ask, "AITA?" Comments range from supporting the man's stance that he is not accountable for the crime to calling for empathy and suggesting a compromise.

The situation underscores the complexities of neighborly relations and moral obligations in such circumstances, leaving Redditors divided on who is at fault in this unfortunate event.

Original Post

I (35M) live in a quiet suburban neighborhood where everyone knows each other. Recently, two young boys, let's call them Sam and Alex, who live a few houses down, left their scooters in my yard while they ran to get a snack from their house.

In the short time they were inside, someone stole both scooters. The kids were obviously upset, and their dad, Mr.

Thompson, approached me about it. He was understandably angry and demanded that I replace the scooters.

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For background, I've always had a good relationship with my neighbors, including the Thompson family. I sympathize with the kids for having their belongings taken, but I don't feel responsible for the theft.

I live in a safe area, and this kind of incident is rare. Plus, I wasn't the one who took the scooters.

Despite Mr. Thompson's insistence, I politely declined to replace the scooters.

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I suggested maybe we could all chip in for new ones or help look for the stolen ones. He didn't take it well and accused me of being heartless and not caring about his kids.

Now, there's tension whenever we see each other outside. I understand his frustration as a parent, but I feel like I'm being unfairly held accountable for something I didn't do.

So, AITA?

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