CranxOC

I've read a couple of stories on the MBs regarding people having their bikes stolen so I thought I'd share a quick, true story about a bicycle thief who "got his."

Prior to getting into advertising, I used to be a police officer here in O.C. (don't ask how I managed that ever so subtle transition) so I got to take plenty of stolen bicycle reports. On one occasion however, I didn't have to take to take a report because I had the bicycle thief right in front of me...smeared all over the middle of the street!

Apparently, the owner of the bicycle had stopped by the local watering hole for a drink and some happy hour tacos, leaving his bike parked along the side of the patio fence. Since he was sitting on the patio only a few yards away from the bike, the guy figured there was no point in locking the thing up. What he didn’t expect however, was the 17 year-old, gang-banger punk who decided he was going to snatch the bike right out from underneath his nose!

As the bike owner notices the banger jumping onto his ride he jumps up and starts yelling at him to get off. Undeterred, the kid rides right by him with a giant smile on his face, his eyes locked onto his victim and his middle finger displayed proudly in the air knowing that there was absolutely no way the bike owner was ever going to catch him.

What he failed to take note of however was the fact that, as he was staring down the bike owner, he was riding his stolen toy right out into traffic.

As soon as he dropped into the street, he crossed in front of a Pontiac Sunfire that was doing approximately 55mph and…WHAMMO!!!...the banger gets nailed, dead center on the hood of the car! Talk about instant karma; you can’t ask for much faster service than that.

The kid was pretty messed up (arms and legs bent in directions they’re not supposed to go, a nice fat head injury and lots of blood and skin smeared across the road) and it pretty much looked like he was well on his way to checking out (very shallow breathing, totally unresponsive and completely mangled does not make for a good prognosis) but, somehow, he managed to survive his little adventure (I threw the last part in because I’m sure there are those of you who would think me callous for telling a story about a 17 year-old that was killed.)

Anyway, this was just a little story for all of you guys that have ever had a bike stolen. Now you know that sometimes – just sometimes – the A-holes who steal bikes “get theirs.”

PaulBravey

Yeah, but did the bike survive?

CranxOC

No, but the owner wasn't all that upset considering the circumstances. It was kind of a piece of junk so blowing it up wasn't that big a deal.

Dirtbike

Why couldnt the guy with my bike get killed instantly

Dougmt

LOL... sorry I know it ain't PC but this was funny...............
D

swifferman

OWNED SO BAD!

I always wondered what kids did with the bikes after...throw em out, try and sell them. Who knows?

fatboyslimfast

Reminds me of a time years ago (not so graphic though). My ex had her custom road bike stolen from her hallway. Gutted, she told the feds, got an insurance pay-out and had a new bike built. Several weeks later we were watching a local stage of the old Milk Race (UK Tour de France!!!) when she turns around and see's a tyke casually scooting through the crowd on her old bike! I didn't notice at first but her and her sister pounced on the lad, he had the fright of a lifetime.

Drunken Chicken

Awesome, a-holes like that need to learn.

ckleps

When I was younger about 13 some punks my age tried to steal my bike. I went mad max on them and led them on a bike chase which resulted in one of them running dead on into a tree and hitting his unhelmeted head. Another wiped out after riding to close behind me when I slammed on the brakes. And the third one decided it wasn't worth the effort. When the cops got involved I was given a stern lecture on how I should have given them the bike. But this was a HUFFY, you don't just give those away.

A few days ago I stepped away from my car bike rack to grab my helmet. I see a 12 year old eyeing my 1500 road bike. I just looked at him and asked, "What are you going to do with that." He just looked confused and walked away.

I don't wish harm on people but it looks like this kid won't be stealing anyone elses bike for a long time, or maybe he'll just learn to forgo the unneccesary step of flipping people off.

CranxOC

I like that last part. You know what they say: "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Hopefully in my guys case it made him a stronger, more moral human being as opposed to a stronger criminal.

Grasschopper

Ohh ohh I got a story. So when I was like 21...of course I was 21 I was at a bar...ok lets just SAY I was 21...so I was poping in to talk to my room mate who was in the bar...err restaurant, they have both...yea I was in the restaurant...and I was having a frosty one...anyway so my $1800 hardtail is resting up against my buddies Bronco right in front of the bar. As we are talking I see this kid jump on my bike and try to take off and I dart out the door after him. Note to those that don't lock their bikes when in a similar situation, put the bike in the LOWEST gear, with the combo of 24/32 and small clipless pedals a jackass kid trying to ride off isn't going anywhere quickly. So in one motion I pick the kid up off the bike and grab the bike so it doesn't fall (can't let it get scratched ). Lay the bike down and punch the kid in the head a couple of times. He and a buddy bolt and a cop rolls up (bartender had called and a car was close), I tell my story and the cop was able to find the kids nearby in a trailer park with lowe and behold about a dozen bikes. Have fun in juvy boys.

Raiyn

Seems a bit out of context, but....

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_Lennon

Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth you tryin' to do
It's up to you, yeah you

ckleps

It aint out of context it fits perfectly

Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head (Fool got hit by a car)
You better get yourself together (stop stealing bikes)
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead (Once again with the car)
What in the world you thinking of (dumb ass)
Laughing in the face of love (We Bikeforum members love our bikes)
What on earth you tryin' to do (why would you steal that love?)
It's up to you, yeah you

Raiyn

In the grand sceme of what John Lennon was going for it's a touch out of context

swifferman

Hmmm, you never know. The kid might bike and he could be just looking at your bike. I guess it does look suspicious though.

And Grasschopper, did you get in trouble for punching the kid in the head? Those kids are really bad though.

ckleps

I think this picture proves what he really was writing about.


P.S. Yes I am that bored at work that I searched for a picture of lennon on a bike

Grasschopper

Not in the least. The cop said he would have done worse if it was his bike.

ckleps

This kid was from what I could tell a thief. I'd seen him on several bikes which obviously were not his, ie. girls bikes bikes way to big, and the dead give way is when you see two kids riding on one bike and ten minutes later they are on two bikes.

Grasschopper

Oh and just to point out that I wasn't beating on some 10 yr old or something, these kids were like 15-17.

CranxOC

Don't sweat Swifferman, the kid's going for some neo-pacifist, quasi-antagonistic, downright conflicted thing. I'm not sure I get it but what're you gonna' do?