I had my bike stolen today - what should I do if I see someone riding it?

Question

It was locked to a bike stand. It looks like someone cut my cable-lock with something quite substantial - while I was in Sainsburys for 15 mins.
The policeman I reported it to said, if I see it, call 999.
However I'm sure there are more interesting things I could do...

Thanks for at least giving me some laughs!

Answer 1

A brush-handle through the spokes of the front wheel can have dramatic repercussions for the rider but it's all about timing.
A successful insertion will see the miscreant catapulted over the handlebars on to the tarmac, hopefully with teeth removed in the process.
You will require a replacement wheel but the level of satisfaction will outweigh the pecunary cost.

Answer 2

If you saw someone riding a bike that looks like yours, how could you prove it definitely is yours?

That aside, calling the police is the law-abiding way to deal with the situation. Given that the police will be dealing with all sorts of other "more serious" issues and are understaffed, the likelihood of them being able to respond is slim - unless you get lucky.

Photographic evidence is all very well but that still does not prove that the bike is yours. And by the time the police get around to speaking to the alleged offender, the bike will probably be long gone again!

You've read numerous other replies - depends what sort of person you are really! But beware, if you do grab the wrong bloke on your bike and do any injury, it is you who will be up before the magistrate!

Answer 3

Well, it would be exciting to make a citizen's arrest but it could be dangerous. If you do see it, a photo of the person would be good - you have a camera on your phone?

Frankly, I doubt that you will see it again. It probably went in a van to be sold elsewhere in the country. If it took something substantial to cut the lock, those things are not the sort of thing carried round in ones pocket.

Your only chance of seeing it again is if you had the frame number and if it gets picked up by the police and impounded - quite unlikely these days, since most professional bike thieves will change the frame number anyway.

The only thing you can practically do is to claim on the insurance and swallow the loss you will inevitably make.

Creviazuk has very wise advice. If someone has subsequently bought it in good faith, YOU could be in trouble by wrongly accusing them of theft!

Answer 4

Say, "Excuse me, sir... I think you're riding a bike that was stolen from me..... sir...... sir..... HEY! GODDAMMIT!" while he looks at you and eventually rides away.

I'm going to guess you live in the UK, seeing as Sainsbury is a popular supermarket chain there..... and assuming as much, I'm going to assume you can't do something like buy a shotgun without having to go through a lot of hassles involving licensing.

I mean, I was going to suggest blowing the fùcker away while he's still on it.......

Actually, if someone stole your bike by cutting your cable straight off, they were probably in serious need of the proceeds from selling the bike. In fact, if they're stealing your bike to sell it, they're probably doing it fro drug money. I suggest not confronting people like this, even if they did steal your bike, unless you wanna get stabbed. Just get another bike, and next time, mark it in such a way where you'll always know it's yours..... in such a way where the markings are indistinguishably recognizable, and easy to spot from far away. Seriously, no one wants an ugly bike they can't sell.

If someone stole your bike, they probably did it for drug money... and they're probably not the most reasonable of people..... I mean, they can't be if they stole your bike from such a public place.

Answer 5

I too had a bike stolen from in fromt of my home. (£2500!!). Reported to police & insurance so all OK.

I saw a young boy riding it a week or two later as I was on the bus (no bike you see...), got my new bike & went out for a ride & spotted him. DO NOT call 999. Get the non-emergency number for the closest police station, and call them on your mobile. Keep the 'offender' in sight (they may have just bought it). To aprehend them or take it back is classified as assault / theft. You MUST let the police stop them.

It will probably be returned to you a week or two after it is seized..

Answer 6

I've had a few bikes stolen in my time. The immediate desire is to knock the sh*t out of them. This can lead to all sorts of problems as you don't know if the rider is aware that it is stolen or if they are armed. Even if they are the thief onlookers might come to their assistance thinking you are a pyscho. Best is to play it cool and try to follow them. If they are travelling too fast try to maintain contact try to get as much of a description as possible. Call the cops as and when you can. They let the bugger get away when it happened to me - he was visiting a suspected dealer and they didn't want to blow the operation. **** happens I guess. Bottom line is it is only a bike Fight not the Monster lest ye become one - and if anyone knows where that quote derives I'd like to hear from you.

Answer 7

First be sure it is yours. Speak to the person ask if they needed the bike or did they steal for the sake of it. It maybe they have purchased it from the thief. they maybe unaware of its history. If you ascertain that the rider is the perpetrator of the act stick the end of the crossbar up his rectum. This will contain him in an unusually position as you kick his head in. By the time the police come it will have been sold a dozen times.

Answer 8

There are a number of things......

1) Beat the sh!t out of them with the cable lock that they cut

2) shove the cable lock up his (crude assumption i know) ar$e

3) lock him to the railings where your bike once stood

....or if you want him to be arrested......
4) or force the thieving scumbag to drive a car irresponsibly under the influence of alcohol in a non-accident black spot past a copper holding one of those speed gun things then the **** will either be arrested or fined

There that should do it.

Answer 9

Well my sons bike was stolen last summer and I went over to see the boys were teens and my son was 7 and they told him to get the F off the bike his older brother was with him. I was pissed my son was crying and I payed 150.00 for this bike. I walk over were they were and I told them they either give me the bike or I was taking theirs. And they said you can't do that I said watch me. I will let my son take yours and they gave it up. I had a few words for them but I got it back my husband was with me but I really did need him I was so mad. He still has the bike and those kids don't come near him anymore I also called the police on them to tey were on school property.

Answer 10

This actually happened to me!
I had reported the theft to the police, and just been given a crime number. I had given up, but my girlfriend insisted we take a tour of the neighbourhood, just in case. I spotted my bike (It was very distinctive) being pushed by some spotty youth amidst a crowd of his friends. I went over and took it off him (No violence, I just took the handlebars and wheeled it away from him) he ran after me, protesting, until I took out my mobile and offered to call the police. He muttered something about having bought it off a guy he'd never seen before and wandered off!