I mentioned in another thread a few days back that my track bike had been stolen. Today, I was riding my commuter to pick up my son and I saw a 14 year-old kid riding it. Completely different neighborhood from where it was stolen. I flagged him down, told him I didn't care where he got it, and gave him $100.

Skills I don't have -- riding the commuter with a two-year old in the child seat while ghost-riding a second bike home. I locked it up and came back later. Thanks for all the support, as usual.

Well, the title of the thread had me thinking something else, but this is just as good and lasts longer.

$100 for a happy ending. I'd done better, but hey, at least you're happy.

And so now it sits in your kitchen? Glad it worked out.

You're probably glad you had a Ben Franklin on you at the time too otherwise you might have been stiffed and no happy ending!

Congrats on recovery of your bike. What did the kid say?

Not sure I'd have forked over the $100, when a call to the police costs nothing..but glad you recovered the bike, and if you're happy then all is well.

i usually pay $50.

Totally awesome! I've only ever recovered one stolen bike and the feeling when it comes back home again is indescribable. Very happy for you

Sheesh - $50 on Kensington Ave gets far more.

Glad it worked out OP!

Heh. I used to live on Aurora Ave N, so I know exactly what you're talking about.

Bravo !

Well done and well played.

I love "happy endings"

Hmmm...bit mixed emotions here...glad you got your bike back for sure. But, if the kid was the one that stole it, he was rewarded for that behavior...and that is not good...I think I would have placed a call to the police. Yes, all in all, it would have taken longer probably to get the bike back, but, the police maybe would have been able to trace down the thief...and protect people from future bikes being stolen. Yeah, I know, maybe I am an optimist...but...I do think that would have been the better route

I think you did the right thing. On the commuter with a 2 year old in the seat? Flag him down, then call the cops. He runs. You give chase with your 2 year old? He fights back..you're gonna brawl with your kid in the seat? $100 bucks, get it over with. Let the kid think he had the deal of a lifetime, who cares. Far more important things in life.

I'm glad you got your bike back.

But I want you to get some use out of those Kung-Fu lessons your Mom and I paid for.

GOOD LUCK with that plan and the St. Louis PD.

eom

Glad you got it back! If my Soma Rush ever got stolen I would be freaking out.

Theives still suck and the police should have been called.

This. A thousand times this. Presuming this is St. Louis City Proper.

I went to high school with Sam Dotson, the STL Chief of Police. Sam's got enough on his plate with "The Knockout Game", Saint Michael of Ferguson BLM spillover, murder, and general urban decay on the northern 2/3ds of the city; bicycle thieves are right there with complaints about excessive Bosnian BBQ smoke as far as priorities of effort.

Glad you got your bike back and a C-note was the best course of action with a child in tow.

Should have given him 2 choices. 1 give the bike back now no questions asked or 2 I'm holding you by the scruff of the neck till the Police get here.

Hold the bike, stolen property re turned, hold the iow life, kidnapping.

your choice.

"kidnapping" Really...

Same in Philly. Folks who think their town standards for emergency response are universal may be sadly mistaken. I've called PPD during physical altercations - no one has come. They don't come out for accidents anymore. A stolen bike? Not on their radar.

I'm not sure what I would have done...I can be a hot head...but OPs course was likely the best scenario.

Yes, using force or threats of violence to hold a person against their will with no authority from leaving can be in a court of Law seen as kidnapping.

Law and Justice are two different things in this country now.

What no Citizens arrest anymore?

Everyone loves a happy ending, it just so happens I just never had to pay for one.

Hooray to you (the OP) and yours for your choice in giving the kid $100. The bike will give you more pleasure than you can imagine.

Unfortunately, I'll bet the kid will have a tougher life ahead of him than we FT readers can imagine. Hope not, but right now Elvis' song about "The Ghetto" is playing in the background.