I described the bike and every detail about it to the cops, then furnished pics which proved it was mine. That part was easy. The only reason they made me do that was because i didn't know the serial number.

As to the missing stuff, the Nashbar shopping panniers cost me $20 5 years ago and they were falling apart. No big loss there. The $10 trailer hitch was a month old and is the most annoying part but hey, I got the bike back which I didn't really think would happen. I'm not going bankrupt or getting pissed over $10.

When the cop asked him if he did it he admitted to taking it off my porch and admitted he made a bad choice.

As to going after the guy in court, it's simply not worth my time. More importantly, he got what was coming to him anyway and he knows it. He was a career homeless person, and was using the bike as his transportation. Honestly, had he knocked on my door that day and asked me if he could have the bike I would have given it too him. He made the wrong choice. Karma is a *****.

Beating someone up over a beat up old rusty bicycle who just stole it to get by isn't my style. The worst part about it was the sense of violation with him entering our premises in the middle of the day and doing as he pleased, but as has been noted he's already paying for that one way or the other.

I forgive him. I told the cop that had brought my bike back, if the guy does get out of jail and comes around again and needs a bike, I will give him one.

If the guy was aggressive, unrepentant and didn't take accountability for his actions this would all be different.

good that is the right attitude. that dude has probably had a pretty sh***y life anyway. they're just bikes, and all of us who collect them are lucky enough that we can afford more than one... or 5.

Good on ya, Stumpy. The thief was probably one of my old San Jose State classmates.

Well handled, man.

But while I'm thinking about this, I actually have a spreadsheet as a Google document that I can access from any computer or my phone. On it is a matrix listing every bike I have (including unbuilt framesets), their serial number, and all their build details. I mean everything. Down to color of bar tape, tire size, and importantly, a photo of each bike in what is recognizably my living room. This is really so i can keep track of what I'm doing with bikes, but it would also be evidence in case something was ever stolen. I even have a record of who I bought the bike or frame from, including email address / phone number, in case I need backup! It was easy to do and I recommend it to everyone.

Ha, living a spartan life...

Glad you were able to get Stumpy back!

It does make you wonder if he was doing on your porch in the first place. (Did he say?) People don't usually go door to door asking for money. I assumed it was an opportunistic solicitor, but it doesn't seem like that was the case.

^That's good advice. I'm not as organized, but I always take photos of serial numbers of my bikes--in part for this reason.

-holiday76
You sir, are a class act

no. but at the right angle from the street you could see the bike.

Classier than me. Homeless or not, I'd have gone full press.

Holiday - well played and happy for you!

yeah i'm wondering too, especially if the bike wasn't visible from the street/sidewalk.

if you were looking for something to steal you could see it. It's hard to tell from this pic but the bike was behind a plant far back into the porch here.

Damn. Exactly what I wanted to say!

Just glad that there was a happy reunion at the end this time.

Happy ending, good for ya. I think I remember you posting when you first got this bike. Glad you got it back, its pretty cool.

ok now i may have to stalk your house

Well done, dude. Glad it worked out this way.

Now if the Lotus was on the porch I may have done what your homeless friend did.

I admire your attitude to the their, and happy you got your beater back.

My wife would say your home has ultimate curb appeal...in this case I would agree!

Very cool that you got your bike back!

I just thought I would throw an idea out there that I've done with my bikes. You've all probably seen those little tags golfers use to "ID" each golf club in their bag. I ordered a set and I place one on the handlebar underneath the grip tape a couple inches from the end of the bar. Its easy to unwrap a few inches of tape and show the cops the tag with name, address, phone number, etc, whatever you decide to have printed on the tag.

Of course this is just an added plus to having pictures and the s/n recorded.

Cheers,

i've seen caddyshack.. does that count?

Only if you had a box of chocolate covered raisens, lol.

so uh holiday.. you ever leave that portage on your porch?

Good idea, Bruce.
.

thats funny. The portage was stolen as well! A while ago.

I've been back on the east coast now for almost 3 years, but I'm going to visit San Jose in a few weeks. I left Stumpy locked in a locker at my old job when I moved. I think i'll go see if it's still there