DionneP

True Story: Friday night my 2009 Cannondale Mountain Bike was STOLEN from Hjarta Ballard. My locks were cut between 5pm and 7am from a secure parking garage. Saturday night MY BIKE turned up on Craig's List 2009 Cannondale Rize 4 WHITE - $1100 (Seattle)

I called the Seattle Police Department and they said all they could do was email the CL poster and tell them that the cops know its stolen.

What I am asking is that you pass this on. Make it very hard for this thief to sell my bike. I am positive that it is someone who knows my building, because when I announced to my Home Owners Association that I found the bike on CL, the post was immediately taken down.

Email me for serial number information.


Date: 2012-03-10, 5:31PM PST
Reply to: mrn2c-2895694215@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

2000 CANNONDALE RIZE 4
$1,100.00
Frame Size: Medium
Frame Tubing Material: 6061 T6 Oversize Aluminum w/carbon seatstays
Fork Brand & Model: Fox Float RL, 140mm travel
Fork Material: Aluminum/magnesium, single crown
Rear Shock: Fox Float RP2, 130mm travel
Brakeset: Avid Elixir CR w/160mm rotor brakes, Avid Elixir CR levers
Shift Levers: Shimano LX Rapid Fire
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Crankset: SRAM GXP1, 22/32/44 teeth
Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP
Rear Cogs: 9-speed, 11 - 34 teeth
Chain: Shimano Nine Speed
Seatpost: Cannondale Alloy, 27.2mm diameter
Saddle: Fi'zi:k Nisene Mg
Handlebar: FSA XC-281AOS Riser
Handlebar Stem: Cannondale XC3
Headset: 1 1/2" Cannondale Orbit Z
Hubs: Shimano M525 disc
Rims: WTB Speed Disc XC, 32-hole
Tires: 26 x 2.10" Maxxis Ridgeline


Location: Seattle
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

roccobike

IF you have proof that the bike was yours, then I don't know what the cops are waiting for. That police statement is totally lame.

Maybe if you buy them some donuts.....

DionneP

I don't know what they are waiting for either, I showed them the proof of purchase and the Craigs List Ad. They offered to e-mail the thief... but that was it. Frustrating to see your bike stolen then re-sold.

But I believe in karma...

vanvanj

the police can do much more, they could get the IP address from CL and figure out exactly who and where posted the ad, I think over a certain amount of money it goes from a misdemeanor to a felony, not sure what the increments are exactly but that is a total line of BS if they say nothing else can be done!!!

Dilberto

Getting a high-end bike back is a long shot. Best of luck...

FutureHero

I would have emailed him as an iterested buyer and agreed to the $1100, then shown up with some friends and baseball bats.

coney46

ditto

the-one1

Agreed, except for the baseball bat part. Show up being interested in buying. Take it for a test ride. Then tell him its stolen and its yours. Of course the whole time have some buddies in another the car waiting but out of site (use them for safety, NOT intimidation). If he insists that its not stolen, have HIM call the cops.
PS: if you have proof (pics of you and the bike or a dated photo, receipt) the bike is yours, bring it.

xtremepb

+1, but why have your friends out of sight? IMO having your buds with you is the best way to prevent a confrontation from escalating...

3speed

I hope you get your bike back. I second the idea of going to purchase the bike if you track it down again and then ask to take it for a quick test ride. Then have a 2way radio(walky talky) in your cargo pocket or something and push a button to signal your friends to drive up. Proceed to inform said thief that it's your bike and you're taking it back, and if they want to cause a problem then you and your friends would be happy to deal with it, and the thief can feel free to call the police if they feel so inclined. Also make sure you get the thief's license plate number if you don't meet them at their house. Give the police the address/plate number. They probably won't do anything, but still do it if you can.

That's the police for you. I've seriously heard this exact same type of thing many times. Person has bike stolen, person finds bike, cops say there's nothing they can do. Yay police. Good thing we pay lots of taxes seemingly mostly to keep the streets flooded with cops to pull over regular people in cars doing a few miles over the speed limit...

NoTrail

This is exactly what I would do.

ColinL

problem with the baseball bat theory: bike thieves may well be armed. it would be best to just ask for a test ride and GTFO. you can't steal what is already yours.

I can't believe the seattle pd refused to get involved. sad.

Zephyr11

I know that the entire post was in jest, but the other problem is that stolen bike versus someone beat to a pulp...well, in a court of law, you're going to lose.

I also think it's sad the police won't get involved. Perhaps the cops get calls about "stolen items" on Craigslist all the time, when the bikes aren't actually stolen? I feel like since you had them a receipt though, that shouldn't be an issue. Have a serial number too, by any chance?

At this point...yeah, I'd probably go to "test ride" the bike, bringing along friends (in sight, without baseball bats). If you're worried about things escalating, I'd see if he's willing to meet in a public place. Yes, it increases the chances of you getting caught "stealing" the bike back, but 1) we know the cops do nothing about stolen bikes, and 2) they have a RECORD of you calling and reporting the bike as being stolen. At the worst, they'll call you on playing vigilante and taking justice into your own hands, but what other choice do you have?

ColinL

You literally cannot steal something that legally belongs to you. Taking it, even under false pretenses, is repossession.

Course.. if you somehow were wrong and it isn't your bike... oops.

Chris_F

File a small claims court suit against the guy. IF you can prove the bike is yours (not gonna be easy unless you recorded/registered the SN or have identifying marks and proof), you should win the purchase price of the bike. The cops SHOULD have gone and investigated/arrested the guy but if they won't do their job you can always go the civil route.

samburger

I agree with showing up with a bunch of friends & taking it back. Biggest thing though is that I'd make sure the guy doesn't feel physically threatened at all. Make sure he knows that the friends are there for your protection, not his intimidation, & that if he wants to call the cops he's more than welcome. That not only keeps things from escalating into a physical confrontation, but looks a LOT better on your part if the bike somehow isn't yours & he does call the cops.

^And Chris_F's idea, according to my brother who recently passed the BAR & works at a general civil defense firm (deals with stuff exactly like this, but usually with larger businesses), is the most legal way to go about doing it. However, you would have to hire an attorney which could significantly offset the benefits of getting your bike back.

klunkrleaguenow

This happened to a friend of mine that had a 69 schwinn stolen from him, although in the days pre-CL. We spread the word that it was stolen including pics, description etc. Someone saw it and we followed the guy back to his house discreetly. Walked up to him in the yard and asked to take it for a test ride. I had the truck and bike rack around the block so i jumped on, pedaled off real easy like, turned the corner, threw it on the bike rack locked it down and hauled ass. Called the cops when we safely got back to the house and they ended up picking him up for a dozen other charges as well as bike theft. The guy ended up doing 7 years or something like that. I would have called the guy and arranged a meet too. Ive had 5 bikes stolen from me, recovered every single one.

DionneP

Thanks everyone.

I did go through the motions of setting up a new Gmail account and emailing the CL ad. One of my friends (unbeknownst to me) did the same thing. The ad was promptly taken down about 90 minutes after I began my social media campaign. I also emailed CL with the police report number and asked for IP information to be released to the police department, they never heard anything. I sent the information to both my local TV stations, no reply. What it comes down to, according to the police, is that I am one of many many victims, they do what they can but in this case it isn't much.

The bike community is a good one. Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled for my super sexy White Rize 4, here and in the park!

dminor 

Sorry to hear your PD was so unhelpful. Could be worse (as if that's any consolation) - - Spokane City PD disbanded its property crimes unit in the last year. Your whole house could get cleaned out and they might not investigate.

FutureHero

At least you have an excuse to buy a new bike

samburger

Similar response came from my local police regarding a friends stolen TV that was taken from intruders from her house (bugulary). Next time I saw a cop at a speed trap, I asked how in the WORLD he had time to WAIT for a crime to be commited when one already had been & we were told they didn't have time to do anything about it. He was more or less speechless.

We had the serial number & had video/pawn shop ID records of who took it, they said they couldn't give her the TV until they arrested the thie,f as it was evidence. They have yet to so much as knock on his door. Police are good men/women... we have too many pigs around here.

junkyard

Why was your bike locked outside overnight?

ckaspar

Ask OJ Simpson about meeting someone to "Steal" your "stolen" stuff back. Not a good idea as nobody knows how that would go down.

A guy I know around here was in the same exact spot. He arranged a meet with the seller and told the cops his plans ahead of time. They offered to stick around the area. Once he verified the bike was his he called the police and they came and arrested the guy. The police may not have wanted to get involved but when you let them know you are gonna do something then I would think they would get involved.

Daspydyr 

Las Vegas has had a rash of gun fights over CL purchases. There has also been theft of bikes while the rider was on them. (Regional discussion, Southwest thread) Rider gets beat up, bike taken. The economy has created new marketing techniques for thieves. You have to be creative on CL purchases. Some people bring guns to rob you if they think you are showing up to make a $1,000. purchase. Buyer beware is more important than ever.

junkyard

Wouldn't that be a kick in the balls. You meet the guy who stole your bike to try to get it back from him and he robs you at gunpoint for your cash, credit cards and anything else of value on you.