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View Full Version : A Stolen Bicycle Story from Philly - with a happy ending!!!



CheekyMonkey
01-01-08, 10:05 PM
I just want to take a moment and brag about my bicycle recovery:

On December 24th, some dirtbag broke into my apartment building by prying open the crappy locks on my building's security doors and stole my nice Fuji hybrid right out of the front hallway. They left my lovely old Peugeot. But that's irrelevant. I guess the shiny new Fuji was obviously more expensive so he took it.

I was miserable, it screwed up what was already a pretty disappointing Christmas, and basically put me into a misanthropic funk bordering occasionally on murderous rage.

I did all the things you're supposed to do (beyond bringing it inside every single night to thwart thieves - fat lot of good that did me!).... I called the cops, made a police report, posted signs for my idiot neighbors to remember to lock the damned deadbolts, alerted all the local bike shops I could think of, and went out looking for my bike and the ******* that stole it.

My efforts paid off several days later. I saw the guy with my bike - get this - A BLOCK AND A HALF FROM MY HOUSE! I couldn't believe it. I went after him and told the people I was with to call the cops. I grabbed the bike from him and told him it was mine (he had the nerve to try and tell me it was his!), and when he ran, I ran after him. Me and another bystander tackled him halfway up the block and waited for the cops to come.

I got my bike back, the jerk got arrested (he also had some drug needles on him, a screwdriver and prybar that he'd been using to break into several other apartments, someone's jewellery and credit cards, and stolen mail).

I just wanted to share this heartwarming story with everyone here....it is so irritating to have your home violated and your bike stolen, and then be told that it won't get recovered and there's nothing anyone can do. I'm here to let you know that you should remain vigilant, be smart, and most of all have some hope. Cos one day, maybe you, too, will have the opportunity to wail on the scumbag that tries to take what isn't his.

Cheers to all and Happy New Year, BF!

Marrock
01-01-08, 11:54 PM
Should have given him a few bootheel tattoos to the face while you were at it and curbstomp his hands so he'll have an easier time keeping them off other people's property.

Congrats on the recovery, good to hear there's still the occasional happy ending.

Air
01-02-08, 06:36 AM
Great story!

Also glad you didn't get hurt - if he gotten hold of the pry bar it may have been a different ending :eek:

tomg
01-02-08, 08:29 PM
:-)
good to hear an outcome like that. risky tackle though, you never know what the needles had in them. that guy would be even more of a prick to you if you came down w/ hep c or hiv....
glad you're ok and got the bike back.
do you lock your bikes inside? this could be another deterent i did not hear you mention in you toolkit to keep what's yours yuors!

Klaw
01-04-08, 01:52 PM
Congratulations on the return of your bike and yes, I agree tackling a needle-laden junkie isn't the best idea.