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Tempted to steal a bike

Old 06-19-12, 06:02 PM
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Tempted to steal a bike

My friend lives in a huge condo complex. Last time I was there she complained about the bike that's been in the bike rack next to hers. She said it had been there as long as she's lived there. That's 20 years. The owner moved out & left it. It's a decent old Diamondback mountain bike covered in dust with tires turned into paper mache . Very tempted to bust the lock & get the old buzzard on the road again. Security and management have zero interest in the situation.

What would you do?
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Old 06-19-12, 06:10 PM
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if you are 100% certain its abandoned, is it really stealing at that point. The problem IMO comes from whether you can certainly know if its abandoned. Shouldnt the bike be all rusted by now? The other problem would be "getting caught for theft"
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Old 06-19-12, 06:27 PM
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"Security and management have zero interest in the situation."

If they aprove of you removing the abandoned bicycle then it is not theft. In the abcense of the owner they have assumed liability for the bicycle.
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Old 06-19-12, 07:28 PM
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It's in an underground garage, so it's actually in good enough shape to fix up. My friend told me that they had a rash of bike thefts about a year ago & management & security had no interest then either.
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Old 06-19-12, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Flying Merkel
It's in an underground garage, so it's actually in good enough shape to fix up. My friend told me that they had a rash of bike thefts about a year ago & management & security had no interest then either.
Where did you say this bike was located, again?

Ah...Could you be more specific?

PS.

On a more serious note...

I would have my friend (the actual resident), write a letter indicating the interest of removing the bike. One copy should be submitted to the management, one copy directly to the head of security via certified mail, and one copy should be kept in your own personal records. Make certain that a full description of the bike is included, especially the serial number. Also, the specific date and time of removal should be indicated within the letter. Finally, state that no reply to your letter will be understood to be approval to the removal of this "abandoned" bicycle, by management of the property.

If you recieve no objections, legally collect at the specific time indicated.

PS.

Give them a two week window in which to respond.

Last edited by SlimRider; 06-19-12 at 10:17 PM.
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Old 06-19-12, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by SlimRider
Ah...Could you be more specific?
Enjoyed that, I'm a big fan of recycling anything too. My comment to a friend when there was an unlocked bike outside a store, was 'oh, an abandoned bicycle.' I wasn't serious and she thought it was funny.

I have rescued quite a few bikes from the garbage. On my days off I used to run my errands mostly through the alleys. That supplied more than enough parts and bikes to keep me going for years. It also helped that I enjoy fixing them since there was seldom a whole bike that was good.
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Old 06-19-12, 11:42 PM
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The right thing to do would be to fix it up and give it to Mr. Beanz!

You know where to find me.
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Old 06-19-12, 11:52 PM
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I think you have been given good information. However, I would add that you should call your local police department, tell them the serial number, speed and gender of bike and they can run it through the state-wide Automated Property System to make sure it has not been reported stolen.
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Old 06-20-12, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Flying Merkel
Last time I was there she complained about the bike that's been in the bike rack next to hers. She said it had been there as long as she's lived there. That's 20 years. The owner moved out & left it. What would you do?
It's been in the way for 20 years? I'd just take it and deal with the consequences when and if they happened.
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Old 06-20-12, 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
It's been in the way for 20 years? I'd just take it and deal with the consequences when and if they happened.
Yeah Retro, that's how they all begin!

After awhile, it all gets so easy..........


Last edited by SlimRider; 06-20-12 at 01:22 AM.
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Old 06-20-12, 05:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
It's been in the way for 20 years? I'd just take it and deal with the consequences when and if they happened.
Me too.

But then, I would have *zero* interest in a 20 year old Diamond Back, so that tells you what my opinion is worth.
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Old 06-20-12, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
........But then, I would have *zero* interest in a 20 year old Diamond Back, so that tells you what my opinion is worth.
This is most definitely not a collector's bike. With a new set of tires and general rehabbing, it will sell fast on C-list for decent money. Rigid mountain bikes are the commuter bike of choice. Might even keep it as a loaner bike. My buddy pulled an 80s era GT out of the trash. He loves it. After getting two nice new Diamondbacks stolen, a theft resistant toad bike is perfect.
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Old 06-20-12, 11:31 AM
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College Security clears the bike racks of abandoned bikes and auctions them off,

after a summer or 2. it's a similar housekeeping situation, I'd say..
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Old 06-20-12, 01:30 PM
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My advice comes from the great philosopher Sargent Shultz: "I see nothing!"
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Old 06-20-12, 04:21 PM
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20 year old Diamondback != Decent bike
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Old 06-23-12, 09:58 PM
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Check with the manager and security people first, then have the cops run the bike. If all things clear you are the proud owner of a new old diamondback.
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