Stolen and recovered - a happy ending

This isn't the way to settle things... have you not seen the NYC courier batters old Asian man with D-lock video thread?

I've just got my competition on the road, and am really enjoying riding it. So it's nice to read this thread - have fun, again!

So what do you reckon really happened? Any clues?

Do you think he nicked it or did he really find it on a rubbish heap, perhaps after the tea leaves had stripped off all the parts they wanted? Or was it impossible to tell/pick up clues?

Good preparation, good execution, good work.

I can't really see a boy with a very good job - a lot to lose - steal a bike so close to his home and then hawk it on ebay - but after seeing his piss-poor attitude in action...
No, I think he DID find it but the annoying thing is, he put the bar tape on upside down (started winding it on from the top down - so amateur) and over-tightened the headset and most annoying, he did no research to find out that this model is just one model down from the Tour team bikes...

What did you say to the police that they turned up in 5 minutes? In these sort of cases they usually give you the "Talk to the hand" treatment.

I said this:called the police, telling them I was going to forcibly remove the bike, and that it would not be good to be seen 'rolling around in the dirt arguing' about the bike outside his work. This got the police's interest and I thought they would respond quickly.
Plus intimated that violence might occur (without actually saying I was going to start an affray). If they think there is a chance of a proper arrest for a serious/violent crime, they tend to get there quickly. They turned up within five minutes.

The police operator, answering my 999 call, kept saying things like "You really must not just seize the bike sir, you must wait for the officers". To which I kept replying "I am taking the bike, however I have to, I am not leaving without it". etc...

How come they believed you that it was your bike? Every time I hear one of those stories both people get cautioned without actually trying to find out whose bike it is. Basically just trying to quell the unrest.

He had pictures of the frame number in hand, pretty conclusive if you tell the police you've got that? Surely?

Glad you got your bike back, and well played.I can't believe I haven't taken photos of the frame numbers on my bikes. I'm going to do that tonight.

Result! i have had bikes stolen and years later seen them on mechanics stands in various london bike stores. frame no match and all! keep your eyes open!

It was 4 months ago, bredrens.

great story!

A similar thing happened to a friend's friend last week.

They lost their bike when the communal bike store in their block of flats in Hackney got cleaned out a couple of weeks ago. Inevitably, one of the bikes ended up on Gumtree, and despite supplying the contact details to the police, it was only after a week of constant badgering that they agreed to go undercover and raid the the ne'er-do-well's place.

Not only did they find the lost bike, but, obviously, a whole load of other hot bikes too, so if anyone's lost anything around Hackney it may be worth give the old bill a ring.

Peace

A similar thing happened to a friend's friend last week.

They lost their bike when the communal bike store in their block of flats in Hackney got cleaned out a couple of weeks ago. Inevitably, one of the bikes ended up on Gumtree, and despite supplying the contact details to the police, it was only after a week of constant badgering that they agreed to go undercover and raid the the ne'er-do-well's place.

Not only did they find the lost bike, but, obviously, a whole load of other hot bikes too, so if anyone's lost anything around Hackney it may be worth give the old bill a ring.

Peace

Which communal bike store was that, finger_jockey?

Please PM me if you don't want to say it on-thread.

Oliver
Hackney Cyclists