Success story from Brick Lane Market - A play in three acts

Well, you all know that mine and my brother's bike got nicked out of the communal garage in our block of flats.

First Act

I befriended Tim here from the forum, who had his nicked too, and we arranged to meet up today at Brick Lane at 7am to check out the bikes being sold. We did that and I hung out there until about 9 but since my bike wasn't there I took the bus back home, having resigned to the fact, that the bike was gone forever.

Second Act

After having had a kip I got a phone call from Tim telling me that he had spotted my bike. I got on the phone to the police and asked them to come down and me and my brother went there on our spare bikes. My bike was still there! I frantically ran around the Brick Lane and actually met two police officers in a car (I don't think they were dispatched after my call). I ask them to help me and they actually did. They came with me to the street corner where I spotted my bike and the guys who were selling my bike ran away leaving my bike locked to the fence! I showed the PCs the evidence I had (various photos) and the market traders on the other side of the fence offered to cut the lock with their angle grinder. And so they did:

Third act

As if that wasn't lucky enough there was more to come. I locked up my just liberated bike on the top of Brick Lane near some police officers. I returned to the spot where I found my bike. Sure enough the gang, that had run away, had returned are kept on selling more bikes. I sat there looking out for Tim's bike as well as my brother's. About one hour later I saw a guy test-riding my brother's bike right in front of my nose.

I ran back to where I had seen the police last but they were gone. So I ran back to the place and saw the guy, who had test-ridden my brother's bike wheeling it away. So I politely confronted him and told him that he had just bought a stolen bike. I was prepared to split the price he just paid or come to some other agreement.

He however was very arrogant and tried to make off. His girlfriend was also very hysterical and gave me shit. I grabbed the bike and his rucksack whilst he tried to cycle away. We struggled along for about 100 metres right into the market where I managed to get him to a stop. I cried for help and sorta wrestled the guy off the bike. By that time Tim had arrived and helped to keep the guy in check.

A circle of people formed around us and I shouted "I have evidence! I have evidence!" and held my brother's insurance papers in the air like in a bad movie. The crowd turned against the guy on the bike and I sorta shouted "Lets see the frame number! Lets turn the bike around." I managed to turn the bike around and a market trader help me to read the number from the BB shell. "It his! He's right!" he shouted and the crowd nodded approvingly. The guy who had bought the bike and his girlfriend shouted "That's theft! I call the police." to which I just got my phone out and phoned the police myself. At this stage the buyers made off having acknowledged their defeat.

I stood there for another minute catching my breath and bought the trader who helped me a beer (it definitely wasn't his first). My brother arrived at the scene and I gave him back his bike.

Pheew! What a day! Faith in humanity: restored.
The biggest thanks to Tim (Timmy2WheelsTooTallTim) who was extremely helpful, called me and help me get my brother's bike off the hands of the buyer. I can't say how much I am in debt to you Tim.

Me and my brother have also been exceptionally lucky having gotten back both our bikes on the same day.

This forum rocks!

firstly- I dont know you but really happy for you, took some bottle and wits to do that.
second- well written story too! have a great time riding whats rightfully yours today.