Originally Posted by lamajo25

Being a police officer:

#1. Most people who have a bike stolen don't know or have their serial number on hand or on record somehow.
#2. Most people who have a bike stolen can't describe their bike to include color, make, model, or other descriptors.
#3. Even if the victim of the theft has all of the above if the thief is a pro they will take the bike and paint it and somehow remove the serial number.

So moral of the story. Make sure you have good and pertinent information on your bike and make a record of all of the above.