14 Responses to “Bike Thief”

• brad says:
  

  Well yeah, but honestly if I saw someone doing that stuff to a bike in broad daylight, I’d assume it was the bike owner and that he’d lost his keys so had to cut the chain. If it were night or on a quiet side street, I might assume differently!

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 7:38 am
• Alan says:
  

  “Well yeah, but honestly if I saw someone doing that stuff to a bike in broad daylight, I’d assume it was the bike owner and that he’d lost his keys so had to cut the chain”

  I’m sure bike thieves are aware of this. It seems many of the bikes stolen around here are taken in broad daylight in busy places. Bikes parked day-after-day at the same time and location seem particularly vulnerable.

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 7:52 am
• Justin says:
  

  Having my bike recently stolen I’d definitely say something. I am actually a bit shocked no one said anything to deter him. I find that a bit disturbing. I’d also like to thank those that have lended me info on possible shops that might purchase my stolen bike as well as those that are keeping an eye out for it. Hopefully something will come up.

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 9:51 am
• Iain says:
  

  In the UK to get electricity from a lamp post would probably attract more attention than trying to steal the bike!

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 10:41 am
• Larey says:
  

  Note to bike thieves: Have a co-thief with a camera act like they are shooting a video. No one will bother you.

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 4:16 pm
• Iskandar says:
  

  There is many way to steal a bike. How to keep it safe? How come other people is not even bother to ask that guy, what he’s doing with all that tool?

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 6:55 pm
• doug says:
  

  the big flaw with their premise:

  why should we expect anyone to risk harm to protect our property? I certainly wouldn’t want to risk a fight for a stranger’s bike.

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 8:01 pm
• evan says:
  

  I had to cut a lock last year (lost key). Middle of the day in manhattan. A u-lock from a reputable company. I had gone and bought some $25 bolt cutters and I was worried they wouldn’t be up to it. No need: about 30 seconds of work and the bike was free. I was shocked at how easy it was. As I was riding away, a messenger noticed the handles sticking out of my bag and yelled “yo, you got the clippers, kid!”
  Moral of the story: ride an ugly bike that nobody wants to steal.

  Posted on 6.3.09 at 8:09 pm
• Scott Wayland says:
  

  Astounding! And disturbing. Yeah, in NYC I’d ride a beater if I needed to lock it up outside.

  Scott

  Posted on 6.4.09 at 8:10 am
• Adrienne says:
  

  This guy is clean, not dressed badly, not really acting suspiciously and acting in total view of the public as though he has nothing to hide. It does not surprise me that no one says anything, as he is not giving off an air of needing to have anything said to him. How many thieves put safety goggles on? Or plug into light polls?

  Posted on 6.4.09 at 9:40 am
• Alan says:
  

  “How many thieves put safety goggles on? Or plug into light polls?”

  That’s a good question. I once caught a thief trying to steal a handful of very expensive fly rods from a fly fishing store at which I was employed. He was wearing expensive Nike running shoes, a Polo shirt, and one of our shop caps. He didn’t look at all like a shop lifter. He almost made it out the door with around $5000 worth of gear.

  Posted on 6.4.09 at 10:11 am
• Donald Moore says:
  

  Maybe a posted bounty for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing or vandalizing a bicycle might cause someone to get on their cell phone and call the police. The caller should remain anonymous.
  Don

  Posted on 6.4.09 at 3:47 pm
• Sharper says:
  

  It’d be nice to think that people would have stepped up and asked what he was doing, but since private citizens don’t have police powers, there’s not much really to do.

  Sure, you could ask what a grungy looking fellow with a hacksaw, angle grinder, and bolt cutters what exactly he is doing to the chain holding a bike to a lamppost, but what do you do after he tells you that he is the rightful owner and that he lost his key?

  Posted on 6.9.09 at 11:59 am
• Gordon says:
  

  I wonder if other cities have the same disregard for property as NYC. I have to agree with all the above comments though, shocking, but we have all been taught to mind our own business, eh?

  Posted on 6.10.09 at 2:27 pm