A handicapped-accessible minivan that was stolen from outside a Boise home on July 1 has been returned to the man who relies on it to get around town.

Mikel "Will" Wallace said Boise police contacted his mother Saturday night, after the van was located. Anyone wishing to help Wallace with repairs to the vehicle can donate to the Mikel Wallace donation fund at any Zions Bank.

“I’m really glad that it’s back — that was my main concern was just to have it back,” said the 27-year-old, who is studying marketing at the College of Western Idaho.

The van has a ramp and an automatic lock that keeps his wheelchair from moving inside the vehicle.

Wallace said the van was damaged by the men who stole it. They spilled oil inside and changed out the battery.

Wallace said he’s planning some fundraisers to get the money together to make repairs — including fixing a broken door lock that allowed the car thieves to gain easy entry.

The maroon 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan was stolen right outside his home, near 5th and Myrtle streets.

Video obtained from a nearby business showed two young men trying to enter other vehicles in the area before they came up on Wallace’s van.

Police disseminated photos of the van Friday. Boisean Julie Bryant, a parole/probation officer, said her friend, Jeff Garro, noticed the van in the Albertsons parking lot about 6 p.m. Saturday. It had been there for days, he said.

“He said, ‘Check this out — do you think this is the (missing) van?’ ” she said.

A check of the license plates came back to Wallace.

Wallace is happy to have his van back, but he wants to see the thieves punished.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Boise Police Department or Crime Stoppers: 343-2677 (COPS).