Still optimistic about getting it back, partly because it is so large and unusual. Too late for this one, but I just ordered the Garmin GTU 10 GPS Tracking Unit to use on my other bikes, anyone have success with using it inside a seat post? My other thought was to figure out some way to stuff it into the nose of the saddle. I need to charge it before every ride, so it has to be discrete but easy to either reach the charging port or take off the bike. They claim it is the size of a 5-pack of Wrigley's gum.

(Edit) Just did a search on the forums, and it seems like this Garmin unit is unknown here. What it does is track your bike when stolen, you can set it for text/emailing you when it moves from the location you have locked in and then tracks where it in real time with a website or Android phone. It seems I should start a thread on this device soon, especially at $135 complete with a years service on the SIM card through AT&T

(Edit) posted a review of this device over in a thread on "Tracking Device"[h=1]Forum: Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets[/h]

Review of Garmin GTU 10 in [h=1]Forum: Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets[/h]

seems like a nice device, just need more battery life, even at 15 minute check in intervals it still only last 1 month before you need to charge it. A device like this needs at least to be able to hold a one year charge. In my opinion people are lazy and will forget to charge the unit every month or few days.

The more times you have to charge it will mean the device will be less effective because it's not on your bike, car or whatever it is that you plan to track. This is because people will forget to put the tracker onto the object when they take if off to charge.

Indeed, there are limitations. If, however, I can use it only when I am preparing to let my bike out of my sight for a few minutes, it might work for me. And it only would last a month in the OFF position but after a week it probably would be so dead as to be useless. Charge time on a USB connected to a PC takes under two hours, maybe less with a real A/C adapter charger. So this battery is not going to work for leaving it on the bike in the garage for months, but only for rides. Let you know when I find out what kind of battery can replace it someday, there are amazing rechargeable batteries being invented every day.

My stolen bike was listed on Craigs List, but sold just a few hours after I contacted the listing - my mistake, I reported it to the cops first and after 6 hours of no response I texted him. So far I know who he is, where he works, and other info that I have given to the police.

I spoke with him, told him that I would offer a $200 reward to the guy he sold it to for the return but he says the buyer won't go for it. I will not let this rest, still pursuing police action, hope to have my bike back tomorrow.

Bike exactly as it looked when stolen April 13, 2013 pictured in his Craigslist advert. Sharp eyed folks on this forum can see the subtle upgrades I did to the OEM setup, and like I posted earlier - I had taken the Brooks seat off to ride that day with a WTB one. Still has the BOB trailer skewer.

Edit* just read through the responses to my original post, man you guys a bloodthirsty bunch - death to bike thieves!

"the buyer won't go for it"? bloody hell he won't.

Good luck on getting it back! Was the CL seller the thief?

I believe the seller may know him, but can't prove it. Yet.

Buyer paid $160 for my stolen bike, CL claims he paid $100 on Wednesday and sold it on Friday. Why would the guy not go for $200 reward? BS, I say, he just needs to know this is a small town and I am relentless and will never give up. And when I do find it on my own, the $200 option is going to be more than off the table,...

My favorite bike Thief video. (warning strong language)

https://vimeo.com/6475675

Great stuff, found this link in the comments https://pegtech.com/products/gps-bicy...ct-information

Just had a long call with the police detective, I feel I had my documentation in order and I got the strong impression they will get results. Wish me luck, so many stolen bike stories turn out bad.

Follow up call with the detective, justice moves very slowly. He seems to think the pawn shop buying it from a thief gives them ownership of the bike, not a very reassuring turn out.

So here's how this works in MOST areas -

1. Buying a bike from a pawn shop gives the BUYER good title to the item. The principle here is that if we can't assume bricks and mortar retail is legitimate, no one can do any business.

2. In MOST areas the pawn shop is required to vet sellers and record them - and the pawn shop IS on the hook for buying stolen merchandise. They are LIKELY civilly liable to you for the item. This isn't always true (unfortunately) - in my area, pawn shops are effectively encouraged to buy stolen property because if/when caught, they are entitled to their buying price from the victim, and the victim in turn has to pursue civil liability from the thief. Blood from a stone obviously. Then you have to count on the DA to pursue fencing charges...often not likely.

You need to find out how your area treats pawn shop purchases...but often they absolutely are responsible for buying stolen merchandise (and they should be) and it should be up to the pawn shop to recover the money from the thief, not the victim. Cops in my area typically want to do as little as possible and use "it's civil, nothing I can do" as a default position. Research YOUR laws, and be preapred to be pushy, obnoxious and escalate the theft.

Bottom line - even if your area gives preferential treatment to pawn shops, like mine does, the shop is usually still on the hook for recording information on the seller, and the police have an obligation to follow that information up. The value of your bike was over $500 in my opinion, which makes it felony theft in most areas...pressure the police to follow up with SOMEONE. Don't settle for their BS...keep making calls.

Do you mean the cop thinks that if the thief sells to the pawn shop and the pawn shop sells to a person- that the person that bought the bike from the pawn shop has legal title to it?

Not a good cop.


Good luck in recovering your bike- it's a beauty!

If a person bought it from a pawn shop, they do have good title. HOWEVER, the pawn shop is possibly/probably liable to the victim for purchasing stolen goods...if the shop isn't, they are likely still responsible for recording information about the thief - including a finger print in my area. The police should be able to use that information.

Hire some of Rich Rod's goons at UA and get it back the old fashioned NJ way!

In all sincereness, I hope you prevail and get full recovery of your bike!

I'm disappointed. Given the name I was hoping for a large spring-loaded sharpened steel post which would suddenly protrude upward from the seat if you didn't give the right password within a time limit...

The pawn shop can recover their invested money from me, instead of the thief, that is the way the law is here. There have been a number of accusations against this pawnshop recently, perhaps the detective sees a fencing charge coming up, which would change things. The primary thing I want changed is the current possessor of my bike return it to me, all other outcomes look like someone is getting a beating.

If the current holder of the bike got it from the pawn shop, you;re most likely done as far as the bike goes. I'm sorry to be so blunt - but he almost definitely does have good title. That ship has probably sailed, and I KNOW it sucks.

I would be up sideways with the police pushing them to get information from the pawn shop on the seller. If the pawn shop doesn't have it, or didn't gather it properly, they may still be liable. I'd keep on them like a hound, I'd call the DA and ask about fencing (particularly if they aren't properly gathering information) and I'd talk to an attorney. It's POSSIBLE that there may be a way to hold the pawn shop on the hook - and it's possible you might be able to force their hand to provide information if the police are useless. Thinking through this - just because they can gather their investment from the victim doesn't necessarily mean they can't be found civilly liable/negligent. Read the rules VERY carefully. You can still file a complaint against the pawn shop.

I'd also consider something as simple as exercising your right to picket...walk by the pawn shop every day with a sign reading _____buys stolen bikes. Write a Yelp review stating they bought your stolen merchandise (be very careful about what you write). Better yet - do it at his home. Have his children wake up to a guy outside his home with a sign saying ___ pawn shop bought my stolen bike. Sometimes the answer isn't through the system. I would probably continue to make life as difficult as possible for them. I'm a hardball guy on bad faith negotiations.

Consider writing a letter to your local media - a lot of stations have programs devoted to people getting worked over like this. A reporter might find it interesting how your laws encourage fencing (a similar story in Philly got a lot of press). I'd even call council people/local politicians about it.

Sidebar, but my area protects them (pawn brokers) like this as well, and it's absolutely disgusting. The pawn shop should be on the hook for buying stolen goods from an individual just like everyone else. Protecting them like this encourages fencing and it's nauseating.

Actually the way it went is, ME > THIEF>PAWN SHOP>CL Guy>Current Guy(that I do not yet know) . The officer thinks the Pawn shop is the key to flipping the chain of custody in my favor, maybe the only one.

FIFY.

I hope you are able to get your bike back and I hope justice is ultimately served. I'd be the pawn shop has dealt with this thief on more than one occasion.

You have to be a creep not to take the full paid price +$40 to return a stolen bike to it's rightful owner.

I don't know your state's laws, but that doesn't sound right to me. Maybe the cop can get creative and work in gray area, but this isn't consistent with my experience. I think it likely that good title was passed when it was purchased from the pawn shop, and good title doesn't change because of an added tier. I hope like hell this works out for you as it's outrageous that these slime get protection.

I do think there are ways to pursue relief and if you want any help down the road, PM me.

Defintely a great video, if that guy touched my bike he's getting stomped out even harder. They were a little too soft on this *****. I would have boxed this kid up even harder and leave him sleepin like pacquaio.

Won't do any good - obviously he can cut the chain....

Depending upon the value of the bike, I would either pursue a small claims court case or hire an attorney. Either way get this in front of a court instead of a cop who most likely really doesn't understand the law (at best) or has some other reasons for depriving you of your property. I really doubt after all this time that the 'officer' is helping you get YOUR bike back. I don't care what the state's laws are concerning pawn shops, there is ample legal precedence that stolen property is never legally owned by another party even if they have purchased it legitimately.

If those fail, I would personally consider some traditional Arizona justice were I you.

You are absolutely wrong and frankly have no idea what you're talking about. As a point of fact, our entire retail system is based on the assumption of good title when purchased from a store. Without that assumption, it would be nearly impossible to conduct business at all. There is gray area (like flea markets) , and pawn shops are more grey than a mall, but pawn shops have repeatedly been found to offer good title in most states. In case you are unaware, stores routinely stock stolen merchandise, most of it due to shipping games. Without an assumption of good faith, a lot of things in your house would be returned to the manufacturer.

I don't know Arizona law, nor do I know Arizona case law, but this stuff is more uniform than not, and I suspect this is a tough nut. I think you're going to find your recourse is with the thief, which is obviously gross and offensive. It's possible you have a shot at the pawn shop, but it's going to depend on the specifics. I like the idea of applying pressure via free speech and the media...it's usually cheaper and more effective.