Stolen bike spotted - again!

brenvan2000

This is my MBK Ranger - stolen last February from the bike shed in my mate's apartment block. I took this picture earlier today outside the Davenport hotel on Merrion Sq! It fairly stands out with its bright green, yellow & red colours. When it was nicked I didn’t bother report it to the Guards because this was the 4th bike I’ve have stolen on me. I reported the previous 3 for all the good it did – which was none. Unbelievably, this is the third time I've seen it since it was nicked. The first time was about a week afterwards on Harcourt st. when the small Indian gentleman cycling it stopped to ask me direction to Rathmines - incredible! I was too stunned to react but that was it alright. The thief hasn’t bothered to remove the solo rear clip-on mudguard and the u-lock fitting is still on the upright and so too is the front light fitting still on the handlebars. The second time was a few months back outside Supermac’s on O’Connell st. I waited around for a while but he didn’t show. I even went so far as to get a chain lock and double-lock it. Needless to say it was gone again the next day. Today I got a guy from a key-cut shop nearby to try and bolt-cut his lock but the cutters' head didn’t fit around the lock – it just made a small nick. That was around 4.30 - 5 o’clock. When I passed by later at 6.30 coming from work it was gone again. My heart is broke. I feel like the guy who has had his garden gnome stolen and pictures are been sent to him from around the world to taunt him. B*stard! Please keep your eyes peeled folks, and maybe send me a postcard if you spot it around the city!

CheGuedara

Well, not condoning bad behaviour here but, if it was my bike that was stolen and being ridden around the place the first chance I got if I saw it locked up would be to steal (can you steal something if you own it?, maybe the word I need is repossess) my wheels back.

And maybe the chain. Or the bars. Or both.

Lets see the thief cycle it home then! Muh-ha-ha-ha.....

Now you've bought yourself some time to sort out the lock at your leisure when he's taking the bus home....

NeilMcEoigheann

remove the saddle then compress yourself to the size of a frankfurter and get into the seatpost, then lie in wait and jump out on him...
you could also try and find a garda........... bahahahaha!

72hundred

Next time it happens but a lock at local bike shop and then this gives you more time to hack his lock off!

Kenno90

the bastard , lets hope karma comes and deals with him

flickerx

Let the air out of the tyres, lock it up if you have something on you, loosen anything you can if you have a multitool on you, then call the cops and ask them to come right away, you found your stolen bike, then they'll call the fire brigade to come and hack the lock off.

abcdggs

I can imagine the fuzz doing sweet F.A. how are they to establish ownership? realistically you have to have a vigilante state of mind combined with the skil of a ninja i.e. bring a HUGE bolt cutters everytime you think you might see it. if you're confident it's yours i believe your right is to retrieve it. props if you do

kincsem

brenvan2000 wrote: »

Please keep your eyes peeled folks, and maybe send me a postcard if you spot it around the city!

You need to put up a contact phone number for quick response (or PM it to people).

The spotted locations were Merrion Square; Harcourt Street; O’Connell Street; and he asked for directions to Rathmines. The bike will be seen again in central Dublin.

Can you prove its yours?

abcdggs

kincsem wrote: »

You need to put up a contact phone number for quick response (or PM it to people).

The spotted locations were Merrion Square; Harcourt Street; O’Connell Street; and he asked for directions to Rathmines. The bike will be seen again in central Dublin.

Can you prove its yours?

Great point i spend a fair amount of time in and out of city centre.

flickerx

abcdggs wrote: »

I can imagine the fuzz doing sweet F.A. how are they to establish ownership? realistically you have to have a vigilante state of mind combined with the skil of a ninja i.e. bring a HUGE bolt cutters everytime you think you might see it. if you're confident it's yours i believe your right is to retrieve it. props if you do

Yes, I agree with you. But you should always report the thefts, in case such a situation comes up where you dont have an enormous bolt cutters just sitting in your back pocket and you come across your stolen bike locked up somewhere. I'd still call the cops and tell them you've found your stolen bike, and tell them anyway that you reported it to your local station, and they'll come down and then at least you have some chance of confronting the thief or new owner, and getting it back, or getting some info on where it was bought from or whom it was bought from. Cops arent my favourite people ever but I think if someone calls them up and says "I found my stolen bike!! Please help me!!" and sounds genuine, they'd respond. They might give you the "did you file a report?" line - just say yes you did, but you dont have the docket any more.

Lumen

I suggest you carry some cans of brightly coloured spray paint, and next time you see it apply a really gay paint scheme.

That'll teach him!

Oh, wait...

A serious suggestion is to superglue his lock, since it'll save you the cost and hassle of using/losingyour own.

david

I'd be very wary of stealing it back even though it probably is your bike. Maybe the Indian gent bought the bike? You can't assume he's the thief. It wouldn't be the first time some junkie scum passed on a cheap bike for a quick fix.

Lumen

david wrote: »

I'd be very wary of stealing it back even though it probably is your bike. Maybe the Indian gent bought the bike? You can't assume he's the thief.

Makes no difference. It's still stolen property, even if it's sold on.

Ghost Rider

Nobody's assuming the current owner is a thief but he is guilty of receiving stolen goods, whether he knew it or not.

david wrote: »

I'd be very wary of stealing it back even though it probably is your bike. Maybe the Indian gent bought the bike? You can't assume he's the thief. It wouldn't be the first time some junkie scum passed on a cheap bike for a quick fix.

Caroline_ie

I am pretty sure I have seen this bike before. Will keep my eyes open.

Big Wave

abcdggs wrote: »

I can imagine the fuzz doing sweet F.A.

Crips or Bloods?


And to the OP - the thief has already spray painted it a horrible fluorescent abortion of colours - best to just smash it up when you see it next, followed by the thief's head.

david

Cut his forks with a hacksaw 9/10ths of the way then tape it back up inconspicuously.

abcdggs

Big Wave wrote: »

Crips or Bloods?


And to the OP - the thief has already spray painted it a horrible fluorescent abortion of colours - best to just smash it up when you see it next, followed by the thief's head.

Which ever has trousers hanging on the left side. right is usually rolled up

mgadget

Christ on a bike! Let it go man, all for being possessive about possessions and all but it's a 15 year old hack bike, you've no doubt acquired a replacement since, the guy that has it now is 99% most likely not the thief. You didn't report it stolen, no frame number on record is no proof its yours, the guys lock is worth more than the bike, you'll get yourself in more **** for attempting to nick it back if caught, and you ain't a thief right? which probably means you will get caught.

And with regard to criminally dumb suggestions out there, ooh, cut his forks, tamper with his brakes, that'll teach'im, chill the fcuk out, what do ye want, blood and vengeance? hey ho another dead cyclist?

Leave it to karma man.

Happy Friday.

brenvan2000

kincsem wrote: »

You need to put up a contact phone number for quick response (or PM it to people).

- 0868530738

The spotted locations were Merrion Square; Harcourt Street; O’Connell Street; and he asked for directions to Rathmines. The bike will be seen again in central Dublin.

- he does seem to be a townie

Can you prove its yours?

- this is the problem. I bought this 2nd hand many moons ago from Little Sport in Fairview. I got a plain receipt but even if I could find that now (unlikely) there was no discernable serial number/id on it that I could find. Plus, as I said, I didn't report it stolen - which is a real killer now as the guards will not do anything for me without proof of ownership. It is mine though. I'm 100% about that. It served me well for nigh on 7 years with just one full service a year. Built like a tank.

brenvan2000

flickerx wrote: »

Yes, I agree with you. But you should always report the thefts, in case such a situation comes up where you dont have an enormous bolt cutters just sitting in your back pocket and you come across your stolen bike locked up somewhere. I'd still call the cops and tell them you've found your stolen bike, and tell them anyway that you reported it to your local station, and they'll come down and then at least you have some chance of confronting the thief or new owner, and getting it back, or getting some info on where it was bought from or whom it was bought from. Cops arent my favourite people ever but I think if someone calls them up and says "I found my stolen bike!! Please help me!!" and sounds genuine, they'd respond. They might give you the "did you file a report?" line - just say yes you did, but you dont have the docket any more.

- Do you really think the 'I don't have the docket anymore' line would work? I'm not sure. And I never found a serial number on it either and didn't security mark it myself so how to prove ownership...? I think the only course of action open to me is to repossess it should the chance ever arise. Again.

brenvan2000

Lumen wrote: »

I suggest you carry some cans of brightly coloured spray paint, and next time you see it apply a really gay paint scheme.

That'll teach him!

Oh, wait...

A serious suggestion is to superglue his lock, since it'll save you the cost and hassle of using/losingyour own.

Ha ha! touché.

brenvan2000

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I am pretty sure I have seen this bike before. Will keep my eyes open.

Cheers!

brenvan2000

mgadget wrote: »

Christ on a bike! Let it go man, all for being possessive about possessions and all but it's a 15 year old hack bike, you've no doubt acquired a replacement since, the guy that has it now is 99% most likely not the thief. You didn't report it stolen, no frame number on record is no proof its yours, the guys lock is worth more than the bike, you'll get yourself in more **** for attempting to nick it back if caught, and you ain't a thief right? which probably means you will get caught.

And with regard to criminally dumb suggestions out there, ooh, cut his forks, tamper with his brakes, that'll teach'im, chill the fcuk out, what do ye want, blood and vengeance? hey ho another dead cyclist?

Leave it to karma man.

Happy Friday.

Can't do that mgadget. True it's old and probably worth f**K-all but it's MINE! If I had never seen it again it would be out of sight and out of mind - but clearly that is not the case. This guy is taunting me by leaving it around the city and I'll be damned I'll let him away with it if I can do anyting about it. He's either a thief or received stolen goods. Same difference to me.

brenvan2000

F**k me but if it isn't there again today. Same spot. Corner of Merrion Sq. opposite the Mont Clare. I'm not carrying any heavy tools on me today. Ideas...?

Caroline_ie

brenvan2000 wrote: »

F**k me but if it isn't there again today. Same spot. Corner of Merrion Sq. opposite the Mont Clare. I'm not carrying any heavy tools on me today. Ideas...?

Is there a shop or something in front? Chances are they see your man leave the bike there in the morning. I'd go in there, and ask if they can remember what time that man leave his bike and picks it up or ... if they know who he is and explain your situation to them.

Lumen

Zip-tie the spokes to the frame/forks. Wait around and capture results on video. Upload to YouTube. Post link here.

blorg

brenvan2000 wrote: »

He's either a thief or received stolen goods. Same difference to me.

In fairness the guy riding right now may very well not know it was stolen. The bike is still yours and you deserve to get it back (tough on him if he bought it unknowingly) but I wouldn't be wishing bodily harm on the guy.

flickerx

Let the air out of the tyres, lock it up yourself if you have one, and call the cops.

silvo

Hey - I saw this today outside Davenport Hotel. I think it is locked up there most days.

brenvan2000

Yeah, the thief seems to bugger off sometime between 5 and 6 so maybe he works in the area. I popped in to Pearse st. on the way home from work last Friday and explained the situation to the duty guard, that I didnt report it stolen etc. He said next time I see it to call the station and a guard will pop down. He didn't seem so sure what happens next though i.e. do we hang around together and wait and then do what if and when the guy comes along? I finish work between 6 & 7 so haven't been able to pin him down yet. It's been there every day since I first spotted it last Thurs. Incredible.

monument

brenvan2000 wrote: »

Yeah, the thief seems to bugger off sometime between 5 and 6 so maybe he works in the area. I popped in to Pearse st. on the way home from work last Friday and explained the situation to the duty guard, that I didnt report it stolen etc. He said next time I see it to call the station and a guard will pop down. He didn't seem so sure what happens next though i.e. do we hang around together and wait and then do what if and when the guy comes along? I finish work between 6 & 7 so haven't been able to pin him down yet. It's been there every day since I first spotted it last Thurs. Incredible.

Report it now, explain your story to the Gardai and why you did not report it before.

I've seen gardai with bolt cutters before, report it to the local station for where you keep seeing it parked, lock it if you see it again and ring them again when you do this -- best to ask about this before you do it!