Another bike went missing out of my yard. This is the 4th LOCKED bike that's been stolen since I moved in here 6 years ago. I realize that after the first, I maybe shouldn't leave bikes in my yard, locked or not, but come on, this was my 10 year old daughters brand new bike that she got for her birthday. She locked it up when she came in to use the bathroom, then forgot to bring it in the house afterwards.
It's going to be a long summer for her now without a bike, maybe next time she'll remember to bring it in. I doubt it though, this isn't her first stolen bike, and still she hasn't learned there are miserable punks out there who can't work to purchase their own bikes.
I can relate to that CJ, I've had many bikes stolen, both locked and unlocked, even in Transcona my bike disappeared from my yard. When my new Retro Schwinn Cruiser disappeared I went to file a report with the police, I had my serial #, pictures, etc, everything in order. When the cop heard what I was trying to report he just rolled his eyes at me, I've never bothered them again about a stolen bike. Now I ride my clunky 70's 3speed bike, get an unattractive ride and nobody bothers you!
The thing with bike thieves that i never understand is that before I started riding a crappy bike as well. i actually had my front tire stolen twice....who the heck steals the front tire!
We've tried the crappy bike thing here before... apparently the kids in this area aren't picky because they stole that too. I've had old rakes stolen right out of my back yard while I was sitting in the front yard talking to the neighbour. The punk walked right by the side of my house with the rake. When I asked him wth he was doing with my rake he tried telling me he found it in an alley. It had my address printed on it!
I wonder what the kids do with all the crap they steal, it's not like they could sell an old rake for enough to buy drugs or alcohol.
heh.. I used one to fish a discarded bike out of a retention pond... wooohooo free bike... gears slipped... seat had been taped a few times, tires leaked, handle bars were cracked and bent...and it still got stolen out of my yard....
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: cj3470</cite>I wonder what the kids do with all the crap they steal, it's not like they could sell an old rake for enough to buy drugs or alcohol.</blockquote>Maybe he was going to start up a gardening services business. Who knows, for want of a rake he could be a successful entrepreneur instead of a leech on the system! LOL (ya right)<br><br> I had my bike (with child seat attached) stolen about 4 years ago. Now I walk or take the bus.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: DeanK</cite>heh.. I used one to fish a discarded bike out of a retention pond... wooohooo free bike... gears slipped... seat had been taped a few times, tires leaked, handle bars were cracked and bent...and it still got stolen out of my yard....</blockquote>Should have put a lojack on it and started up a bait-bike program ;-)
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: DeanK</cite>wooohooo free bike... gears slipped... seat had been taped a few times, tires leaked, handle bars were cracked and bent...and it still got stolen out of my yard....</blockquote>
Apparently MPI is going to get involved. They will insure your bike for an annual premium of $100, give you a maximum insured value of $200, but you have to install a bike immobilizer, which will blow the tires out if the immobilizer isn't turned off prior to use. Legislation is expected to be passed in December.
When my sister lived in the north end someone used bolt cutters to cut the lock on her shed and stole her 2 daughters mountain bikes. I had a pretty fair idea they would end up at a certain pawnshop on Selkirk, I went there armed with pictures to prove it. The owner would not let me see his current stash of bikes on hold without a police incident# and bike serial #s which unfortunately I didn't have, he swore up and down that he would never deal with stolen property....yea right! From this experience no matter how crappy my bikes I record the serial #s at home, just in case.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: EastSider</cite>When my sister lived in the north end someone used bolt cutters to cut the lock on her shed and stole her 2 daughters mountain bikes. I had a pretty fair idea they would end up at a certain pawnshop on Selkirk, I went there armed with pictures to prove it. The owner would not let me see his current stash of bikes on hold without a police incident# and bike serial #s which unfortunately I didn't have, he swore up and down that he would never deal with stolen property....yea right! From this experience no matter how crappy my bikes I record the serial #s at home, just in case.</blockquote>
Never walk into a pawn shop saying you are looking for a stolen item... or even a PARTICULAR item. If your bike was stolen, go in and say "I'm looking for a bike, not sure what exactly... what do you have?" Then if you find your bike either buy it or say "Ok I have to go to the bank I'll be back in a minute" then leave and call the cops. Get a receipt if you buy it and have the serial number written on the receipt.