So I was sitting at a local fast food place just around the corner from campus, eating, with my bike not nearly 2 feet from me leaning against the wall, when out of the corner of my eye, I see it begin to move.

Granted, this was at 3 in the morning, but I didn't expect something to happen INSIDE a restaurant, all lit up, with about six other people in the joint.

I knew exactly what was happening, but as I bolted from my seat and grabbed the rear wheel, I still couldn't believe that it was actually happening. Whats more, I couldn't believe what I was doing then, at the moment it was happening. The thief (about 30-40 pounds heavier than me) was literally at the door when the struggle ensued. He punched me three to five times in the jaw, but I didn't let go. I knew I was getting punched but I didn't really feel it, the way you feel when you're in a fight. I don't know how I managed, (im sure it was adrenaline), but I nearly risked my life for an inanimate object that I had only owned for less than three days.

With every blow I was hoping that the guy would give up, like I was taking toll of how much abuse I would take before finally letting go of (only) 150 dollars worth of bike. But I didn't. Both my hands were wrapped around the thing like they were ****ing welded there, even when the ****er had me down on the floor. I think perhaps I might have attempted to return one punch (an even dumber idea), but I'm not sure.

In the end the guy fled the scene, and I called 911 immediately. None of the employees or anyone else did a thing while it happened (lasted a good 25-40 seconds, I think). I had a nasty cut from the chain on my finger, a chipped molar, and my bike still in my possession. A LOT of cops showed up on the scene, more than i expected, about three cars, and also the campus security (this happened about a block away from my college). The paramedics rolled up in a fire truck (???) and gave me some bandages.

After I filed the report I cranked the chain back on, straightened my handlebars, and rode off, with my own blood on the frame, trying to convince myself that I had won something. I cant really decide whether or not to hate myself for doing that. If I told my parents about this, they'd probably kill me themselves. Even now it still all feels like a bad dream. Not the part of getting my bike stolen, but me struggling with someone probably very lethal over a material possession.

I guess I'm just stubborn. If the guy had a knife or any sort of weapon I definitely would have dropped it. But he didn't and for whatever reason I just couldn't let go, even though I knew what I was doing was very dangerous.

So yeah. Even if your bike is sitting right next to you, put a lock on it

**** happens son.




Edit: did anybody there give the cops a description of the anushole who grabbed you bike? Did you get a good look at him?

Whoa. It's awesome that you managed to keep hold of your bike but if it were me, I would have done everything I could to break at least a few of the ****head's bones. Getting punched in the face turns me into a complete werewolf.

Wow......

what college?

I actually made eye contact with dude as I was going in. He was loitering about outside, so luckily I was able to tell the cops at least what he was wearing. One of the witnesses followed him out a little as he left and told them which way he went. But unless the cops picked him up immediately, he probably got away.

USC. People told me the 'hood around it was dangerous, but I always thought they were just paranoid. I mean, the campus security has some sort of jurisdiction/agreement with the LAPD and they are always rolling around. Ussually the worst you encounter on a Wednesday night are some friendly bums looking for change.

That's horrible to hear that someone would assault you like that for a bike they would only get a couple bucks from. I know people say not to do what you did but something tells me since you're a college student that you're not loaded and this is your mode of transportation so good for you for standing up to that human piece of waste!

I am always crime conscience.. My lock is on the bike at all times.. If there is not something to lock the bike to, I don't patronize the place... So far, no attempts at bike theft. But, I've been mugged twice. Once with a knife at the back of my neck and the other time.. a guy chasing me down a busy street with a section of pipe.. Both of those attacks in the middle of the day..Actually the pipe event was only an attempt, ,because I outran the guy....He looked like a street person.....
... Because a restaurant has 6 customers is not cause to feel safe. Too many reports out there of armed robberies of restaurants even with many customers present. In fact, once I missed an armed robbery at a pizza joint by less than half an hour..

that sucks about your tooth. Bikes are replaceable, but teeth aren't.

Not to pick on you, but how much do you weigh?

Making decisions on the spot like that is a hard choice, and I don't even know what I would do, so I wont add my 2 cents, but just want to say glad u are relatively OK.

Since he didn't pull a weapon, I think you did the right thing. Might have been worth taking a swing at him, but things happen fast and plenty of armchair quarterbacks wouldn't even have had the wherewithal to react even as much as you did. Glad you held onto the bike and that you're mostly alright.

Sounds like the guy was a crackhead. They are totally irrational and can be very dangerous. In the future you want to avoid confrontation in a situation like this. I'm not being critical of your actions, as I might have reacted the same way at your age, but no material object is worth risking your life.

Maybe the @$$hole will think twice before trying to victimize someone else.

I can't believe people sit around and do nothing. I'd have hit the guy with a chair.

Glad you fared relatively well. Slightly O/T but once at the outer banks, nc, I left my bike just outside a coffee shop window. As I was sitting inside, I glanced up and saw my bike moving - so I bolted out and... the wind was trying to steal it!

That might be the most unsettling thing about it. I was struggling with guy for a good couple seconds, and at one point I yelled "get him off me." Nobody did a damn thing. The cashier didn't even call 911, as far as I know, it was up to me to call afterwards.

What if the OP had stolen the bike, and it was the rightful owner trying to take it back? I wouldn't start assaulting strangers without knowing what was going on. But I certainly would have stepped in to stop the initial assault.

Did you kick the wind's ass or what???

Im only about 130 or so, max. The guy was like 150-160 at least.

If I saw my stolen bike anywhere, I would calmly call the police without alerting the thief, wait for them to arrive, and then make my move. Perhaps assaulting strangers is a bad idea, but I was clearly only holding onto the bike, and he was the one doing the punching. The violence was completely one-way, and if I was a bike thief, I would let the damn thing go and GTFO the first sign something is up.

Dude! you should always carry a steel pen, you can jab it into an eye or repeatedly into the side of the neck or ear of the son of a ***** trying to hurt you! I used to carry an old steel air pump, I had cut the steel tube on an angle (to make a point) and slipped it right back into the pump. ;0) Now I just carry a gun, yeah I know,"you gonna shoot someone over a bike!" **** yeah! if they attempt to hurt me during the act! I'm certainly not going to sit there and let the guy steal my bike! BTW, OP, well ****in' done! ;0)

That's rough- I'm glad you're OK.

I think it's awesome that he didn't get your bike. I would have done the same thing. Probably would have hit him with my u-lock though... or at least shielded my face with it so that he was punching metal.