How to catch a Bike Thief (Part 1)

A suspected bike thief is caught trying to sell a stolen bike to a decoy buyer near USC.

A USC student had his bike stolen on May 25, 2009. Two days later he sees his bike advertised on Craigslist. The student calls a local LA bicycle activist who assembles a team of bicyclists who will attempt to recover the stolen bike. They call the suspect and express interest in purchasing the bike. A decoy buyer meets the suspect, though he is backed up other bicyclists. They mill around at bus stops, ride by the location on bikes, etc. When the bike is positively identified, the team moves in. They question the suspect at length. This video shows how they repeatedly suggest calling the police, yet the suspect prefers to give the bike back to the rightful owner without police intervention.

Was this dangerous? Yes. Was it well-planned? Yes. But the best of plans do not always work out. We got lucky. We a got a stolen bike back to its rightful owner. One success story out of thousands of thefts. We fully intended to involve the police. In the end, the suspect wanted to give the bike back. Maybe he will spread the word...bicycle theft doesn't pay. At least this time it didn't.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Bike Thief
• USC
• Los Angeles

[snowday333]

This video was pathetic.

That stupid asshole will be out there tomorrow with another stolen bike.

Should have called the cops, or at least given him a beating. Pussies.

[MrCrappola]

the fat kid has bigger titties than most girls...

[breybuz30]

Of course it's a puerto rican who stole a bike

[gorillagirlgorilla]

The guy didnt do anything wrong. If he finds a good deal, he can get it and flip it.

He didnt steal it so i dont see what the fuss is all about.

[emurccmailliw]

Bear him? Wow that's funny so next time he trust to sell a stolen bike he will have a gun on him. Take the bike back keep it better secured and move on. Hurting people even though they did wrong is not right. They will just comeback harder and stronger. Do we never learn from history? No hurt no harm. Items can be replaced life can not.

[SteveSabbai]

...you NEVER let a thief off the hook cuz they will jus steal again from someone else!...

[maurigian1]

Just choke him with a burrito

[LuckNotSkill]

Kids a liar people that sell bikes right away usually go for 20-50 dollars. Lmfao bought like 6. :)

[VegardMinde]

Everyone can see that guy don't ride bikes -he steals them and sells them -for nachos !

[MrPhotograff]

Cops won't do a damn thing but a report on it, so if u see ur stolen bike take that sh!t back don't ask any question

[hodenriss]

greasy spics

[Dannyisgreatful]

hes full of shit, im 100% sure of it. this fat fuck knows the guy who personally stole it and knew the bike was stolen prior to buuying it. im tired of bikes getting stolen too, and im gonna try to make it stop.