Bike Theft in Galway

Dubhghaillix

How many people have had bikes stolen in Galway in the last nine months?

Mine was stolen yesterday from NUIG by a 6ft(ish) pale guy with a shaved head, wearing a bright red rain mac. He cycled up, broke the lock, and cycled off holding on to mine. He was with some other fcuker with black hair.

Anyway they were on CCTV, saw the whole thing inc. the guy's face, and I reported it to the Gardaí today. I was talking to the head of security and he said there've been hundreds of bikes stolen since september '09 alone. I've also seen a rake of bikes around the college that have been "chop-shop'd" (the wheels and brakes and seats taken off them, see photos attached). And that's just in the College. Does anyone know what the hell is going on here? Who is stealing all these bikes? Who is buying all these stolen bikes?

LadyMayBelle

As I mentioned in the NUIG thread last month, my friends Lapierre bike was nicked form outside the gym one evening; the guys had tried before and obviously came back with tools to break the v.fancy and secure lock. Naturally he was gutted as he uses his bike everyday. On the CCTV they just saw two guys with hoods nicking it but could do nothing. Apparently it's common outside the gym yet they haven't improved security etc.

ArraMusha

Sorry to hear about the bike thefts especially as it appears to be used daily.

More pressure should have been put back on NUIG/Kingfisher as the crime was on their turf.

poolfan

Sorry to hear about the bike. Had a bike stolen a few years back aswell. I go to GMIT and when I went to get my bike discovered somebody tyr to steal it. Casing of the lock was cracked and the metal part of the lock chipped. Some cheek as it was the middle of the day. Probably an amatuer thief as the lock wasnt a great one. Needless to say I went and bought a betterlock that day.

harryd2

Somone tried to steal mine recently but couldn't cut through the lock,
so they took both wheels.. f00kers..
Would love to setup a trap for these skumbags..

Dubhghaillix

Dubhghaillix wrote: »

Mine was stolen yesterday from NUIG by a 6ft(ish) pale guy with a shaved head, wearing a bright red rain mac. He cycled up, broke the lock, and cycled off holding on to mine. He was with some other fcuker with black hair.

Anyway they were on CCTV, saw the whole thing inc. the guy's face, and I reported it to the Gardaí today.

This has crossed my mind a lot lately from looking through papers and stuff....
Not having a go at you as you don't have access, but in this day and age with all the technology we have at our fingertips, could the guards not set up a site with the CCTV footage of the criminals they describe in the papers?

How many times do you read ''cops are looking for any info.....suspect was 6'' tall, wearing a black jumper etc..''
SHOW ME THE PICTURE/VIDEO AND I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP.

Like who can read these and go ''OMG i know who that is!!!''.... basic descriptions are too vague, a simple website with the video/pictures would go a long way to catching a lot more of these guys.

inisboffin

Was going to Neachtains during the day recently and town was busy, went to park my bike around in front of the Dew Drop (don't normally lock it there as have seen bikes with kicked wheels, but it was daytime and I was only heading in for a quick coffee, so thought, what the hell..).

Just about to lock my bike (a freebie, but looks slightly posher, and a lock not work sh*t) when I spot two kids THREE FEET AWAY, fiddling with a bike (they were on their own bikes). Wasn't sure what they were up to but they were shifty enough, so I waited, then saw they were unscrewing some nice mudguards on a bike. Went up and said "what are ye doing lads, is that your bike?" and they scarpered. Little sh*ts, they must have been 10 or 11.

Let's keep an eye out for each other? 10 or more people must have noticed these kids and said nothing. Just like the movement to pick up 'knocked' bikes so they don't get thrashed, maybe we can keep an eye out a bit more?

JIZZLORD

i had a bike stolen from me when i lived in terryland. i pity the poor fecker that stole it as i had been told a few days previous that it'd be cheaper to buy a second hand one than repair it. the gears were screwed, no brakes and one of the wheels had a bit of a buckle.

s_carnage

gilberto_eire wrote: »

This has crossed my mind a lot lately from looking through papers and stuff....
Not having a go at you as you don't have access, but in this day and age with all the technology we have at our fingertips, could the guards not set up a site with the CCTV footage of the criminals they describe in the papers?

How many times do you read ''cops are looking for any info.....suspect was 6'' tall, wearing a black jumper etc..''
SHOW ME THE PICTURE/VIDEO AND I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP.

Like who can read these and go ''OMG i know who that is!!!''.... basic descriptions are too vague, a simple website with the video/pictures would go a long way to catching a lot more of these guys.

That's a very good idea there. Wonder if its possible to put up photos here of say stills from CCTV footage if it is any good or would that just create a legal nightmare for boards.

cafecolour

I've been lucky, my bike has been fine. It's a nice bike, but a good bit old, so it might not look a tempting target. Plus I have a pretty strong u-lock for it, which generally requires either a car jack or a circular hand saw to get through. Cable locks are generally pretty easy to cut.

When I lived in San Francisco though, it was madness. Bike seats would even be stolen - for nice bikes, folks would have locking wheels, seats, etc. I even had a light stolen once.

Fuinseog

Dubhghaillix wrote: »

How many people have had bikes stolen in Galway in the last nine months?

Mine was stolen yesterday from NUIG by a 6ft(ish) pale guy with a shaved head, wearing a bright red rain mac. He cycled up, broke the lock, and cycled off holding on to mine. He was with some other fcuker with black hair.

Anyway they were on CCTV, saw the whole thing inc. the guy's face, and I reported it to the Gardaí today. I was talking to the head of security and he said there've been hundreds of bikes stolen since september '09 alone. I've also seen a rake of bikes around the college that have been "chop-shop'd" (the wheels and brakes and seats taken off them, see photos attached). And that's just in the College. Does anyone know what the hell is going on here? Who is stealing all these bikes? Who is buying all these stolen bikes?

what kind of lock did you have? i would not use anything less than a D lock and have it fastened to something unmovable. I used to have a lot of problems with acessories such as drink cages and bull horns being stolen.

Fuinseog

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

As I mentioned in the NUIG thread last month, my friends Lapierre bike was nicked form outside the gym one evening; the guys had tried before and obviously came back with tools to break the v.fancy and secure lock. Naturally he was gutted as he uses his bike everyday. On the CCTV they just saw two guys with hoods nicking it but could do nothing. Apparently it's common outside the gym yet they haven't improved security etc.

it is common there. so much for campus security.its sad that in such a public place nobody paid any heed to the hooded ones.

8kvscdpglqnyr4

Does it happen during daylight hours?

TheCosmicFrog

Riya Enough Polygamy wrote: »

Does it happen during daylight hours?

Yup, happened to Dubhghaillix at 5.00pm.

hairyleprechaun

I haven't had my bike stolen but some cnut slashed the tyre on it in the college, why would someone do that?

stevecrow74

four bikes stolen on me in the last five years..
the F*****s even took the tall gas cylinder one was locked to, cut the railing to get another one, so even if you think its locked to something unmovable.. think again :eek:

Dubhghaillix

what kind of lock did you have? i would not use anything less than a D lock and have it fastened to something unmovable. I used to have a lot of problems with acessories such as drink cages and bull horns being stolen.

It was a "Kingsguard" lock. The curley one. I saw the whole thing happen on the CCTV footage. They guy just stretched the lock, pulled on it once or twice and it came apart. I've noticed everyone seems to have those locks. They're useless. They rust after a few hours in the rain, the key jams in them a lot, and they break like that *snaps fingers*. Worst thing about them is everywhere sells them. Conspiracy???

You say D Locks are best? I'll keep that in mind. I've moved to a chain and a heavy lock for the meanwhile.

joeKel73

Got my bike robbed in college a couple of years ago, used to use it daily.

Anyone know what's with the big stash of bikes behind the college security office?

Dubhghaillix

Couldn't tell you. TBH I guess it's bikes that have been fished out of the canals after the week formally known as RAG.

Seysilver

My bike was stolen on me just before Christmas. The sickening part was that it was taken from my own front garden, not even on the street. Couldn't get over the cheek that they'd come into someone's garden and steal it. I have no idea where the bikes go? I mean is there a second hand bike shop somewhere that there being flogged to or a market somewhere or is it just vandalism? Has anyone ever seen their bikes again? I went to the Gardai, you can imagine how helpful that was.

Dubhghaillix

I know two guys who found their bikes after they were stolen. They saw them in the street one day and stole them back.

leninbenjamin

Always try and find a newer, shinier and more expensive bike to lock yours by.

TheCosmicFrog

leninbenjamin wrote: »

Always try and find a newer, shinier and more expensive bike to lock yours by.

Agreed, always do it!

And 9 out of 42 people? That's fcuking scandalous.

stunt_penguin

I had one stolen from the apartment block ,at 4am, I VERY nearly caught them, too; I heard it happen just as I was headed to bed and ran out.

I wondered what would happen if the bike owners of Galway walked into into a few hundred of the city shops and yanked €200-300 from each till.

I say this because maybe that would put the theft of bikes in the city in context; we must be looking at hundreds of bikes and (mostly worth a few quid each). Noone takes it seriously because it's a widely distributed crime and it's 'only a bike' each time, but if it was another type of crime (such as my afforementioned theft of cash) you'd have a public outcry and find yourself/ves arrested very quickly. I'd say that bike theft is probably the crime causing the biggest fianancial loss in the city right now, and no-one is doing a thing.

JohnMcManus

Aldi Westside are currently selling really heavy motorbike locks. They are a really heavy chain and padlock. Mine has loads of bolt cropper marks and hacksaw cuts, but I still have my bike. And before the moderator Biko calls me a shill again; I DO NOT WORK FOR ALDI, OR GALWAY CITY COUNCIL CAR PARKING, OR LISBAN CHEAP DIESEL ON THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE! I am just trying to help people out.

TheCosmicFrog

JohnMcManus wrote: »

Aldi Westside are currently selling really heavy motorbike locks. They are a really heavy chain and padlock. Mine has loads of bolt cropper marks and hacksaw cuts, but I still have my bike. And before the moderator Biko calls me a shill again; I DO NOT WORK FOR ALDI, OR GALWAY CITY COUNCIL CAR PARKING, OR LISBAN CHEAP DIESEL ON THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE! I am just trying to help people out.

How heavy are they though? Would they add some serious weight to your bike while cycling?

snubbleste

stunt_penguin wrote: »

I say this because maybe that would put the theft of bikes in the city in context; we must be looking at hundreds of bikes and (mostly worth a few quid each). Noone takes it seriously because it's a widely distributed crime and it's 'only a bike' each time, but if it was another type of crime (such as my afforementioned theft of cash) you'd have a public outcry and find yourself/ves arrested very quickly. I'd say that bike theft is probably the crime causing the biggest fianancial loss in the city right now, and no-one is doing a thing.

Bike theft causing biggest financial loss in the city? Yeah right.
If you feel so strongly about it, write to the local Garda Superintendent and articulate your concerns.

JJayoo

Cops are lazy fookers. How hard would it be to set up a simple trap. Nice fancy bike left over night in the college with a tracking device hidden inside the frame. Its a handfull of sh1ts that keep taking bikes, they obviously store them somewhere.

Jumpy

TheCosmicFrog wrote: »

How heavy are they though? Would they add some serious weight to your bike while cycling?

These things are seriously heavy.

Fuinseog

Dubhghaillix wrote: »

It was a "Kingsguard" lock. The curley one. I saw the whole thing happen on the CCTV footage. They guy just stretched the lock, pulled on it once or twice and it came apart. I've noticed everyone seems to have those locks. They're useless. They rust after a few hours in the rain, the key jams in them a lot, and they break like that *snaps fingers*. Worst thing about them is everywhere sells them. Conspiracy???

You say D Locks are best? I'll keep that in mind. I've moved to a chain and a heavy lock for the meanwhile.

the curly locks are easy break. D locks are cheap enough around 20 E and very strong. make sure its big enough to go around a pole. you need to oil them so it won't freeze or go stiff. you don't want the key breaking in the lock.

Fuinseog

Seysilver wrote: »

My bike was stolen on me just before Christmas. The sickening part was that it was taken from my own front garden, not even on the street. Couldn't get over the cheek that they'd come into someone's garden and steal it. I have no idea where the bikes go? I mean is there a second hand bike shop somewhere that there being flogged to or a market somewhere or is it just vandalism? Has anyone ever seen their bikes again? I went to the Gardai, you can imagine how helpful that was.

its better to have the bike at the rear.
i had mine taken from the front of my house but found it 200 metres away thrown over a wall, either too awkward to carry or students acting the bollix.

Dubhghaillix

JJayoo wrote: »

How hard would it be to set up a simple trap. Nice fancy bike left over night in the college with a tracking device hidden inside the frame. Its a handfull of sh1ts that keep taking bikes, they obviously store them somewhere.

Yeah exactly, a sting operation is what we need. Like they do with prostitutes on US Cop Shows.

Fuinseog

Dubhghaillix wrote: »

Yeah exactly, a sting operation is what we need. Like they do with prostitutes on US Cop Shows.

nobody really gives a **** around the college o your bike is at risk no matter where zou park it there. you have some security if it is locked to something that cannot be removed. college bar area is notorously unsafe for bikes

Steyr

JJayoo wrote: »

Cops are lazy fookers.

Far from it lad, i had mine stolen about 2 yrs ago, i spotted it in town locked to pole i comfirmed it was mine by serial number, told Gardai, they came up, took it, kept it and informed me that if someone claimed it as stolen they would sort it and if nobody claimed it then i could have it back, a few days later some guy claimed it was his bike that was robbed so he came back and tried to claim as his which it wasnt, so he got done for it, i had all the documents etc ( he had nothing ) to prove it was my bike ( Serial Number/Special Pump Ring for Air etc ). Well done to the Gardai.

harryd2

For the record I have a kryptonite mini, which the skumbags tried to cut through but failed, so they took my wheels.
Kryptonite replaced the damaged lock for free.
The skum can get through any lock with the right equipment, you just gotta minimise the opportunites they have, such as not leaving your bike unattended for long periods in the same place/time every day..

Fuinseog

Steyr wrote: »

Far from it lad, i had mine stolen about 2 yrs ago, i spotted it in town locked to pole i comfirmed it was mine by serial number, told Gardai, they came up, took it, kept it and informed me that if someone claimed it as stolen they would sort it and if nobody claimed it then i could have it back, a few days later some guy claimed it was his bike that was robbed so he came back and tried to claim as his which it wasnt, so he got done for it, i had all the documents etc ( he had nothing ) to prove it was my bike ( Serial Number/Special Pump Ring for Air etc ). Well done to the Gardai.

interesting. unfortunately most of us do not get any documentation when buying a new bike.
in some countries you register the serial no. of your bike with the police.

LadyMayBelle

Leaving college this eve around 7.30pm I spotted two young lads, 14/15years ish 'hanging' around the bike stand near Friars in the uni. Saw me looking at sort of walked away, but as I pulled out I checked the review mirror and sure enough they were at the bike fiddling with the lock. Rang Security** who were said they'd be up right away and thanked me for the call, but I hung around for three minutes and the lads obviously had no success got bored and walked off.. they probably aren't the masterminds behind most of the thefts but at least security are alert to it.

** Trying to ring Security wasted a good bit of time...first had to ring the uni and listen to commands, choose 'English' then say 'Security' and wait for them to answer...I really feel the college and security should pull together and encourage every student to have that number in their mobile in case of incidents like this or indeed other ones.. the five minutes it took me to actually reach security could be too late.

Pen Rua

I usually lock my bike up by Jury's, and it hasn't been touched yet, touch wood. A guy I know had his bike stolen by the Subway off Shop Street. He locked up the shop he works in around 11 at night, and cycled to town and left his bike by Lynch's [I don't know was it locked or not], went to Subway and got his sandwich quick [no one was ahead of him] and went back and his bike was stolen. The people from the night clubs claimed to have not seen anything. I heard at the Bish, a bike was stolen from the Nun's Island end.

NMoore

If you know anyone who lives in apartments with attached car parks in town, such as the Docks apartments, etc you could ask them for help? The apartments usually require key-codes or car-park fobs to get in, and the car parks almost always have an under-utilised bike rack. It's not foolproof, but provides an extra-layer of security, CCTV, and off-street parking for your bike in central, rain-proof locations.
PM me for more info...

PerrinV2

Fuinseog wrote: »

interesting. unfortunately most of us do not get any documentation when buying a new bike.
in some countries you register the serial no. of your bike with the police.

Ya I just a new bike recently,all that came with it was a owners manual,not really much prove of ownership if it gets robbed.

suolonatio

skumbags stole Falcon Arizona Ladies bike from outside apartment at Mevue Post Office. Taken between 7.15-10.15pm on Thursday 18th of Oct 2012. Got complacent using only curly crap lock and having a routine for them to spot. They even left a stick in the place where the bike is usually left which I didnt realise at the time but it was a marker for the bike to be taken by an organised bunch that regularly spot these oporunities. It will probably be sold now for cash in hand throught Donedeal or a Market of some kind. Gardai dont seem to know much about it. But they must have a regular sales mechanism, maybe even back to the shops. The bike is silver and sky blue like pictured.

evoke

you should try and get an article in the advertiser with a good heading

"NUIG bike stealing scandal. 1000 bike stolen since 2009"

that will get them doing some thing about it

Squeeonline

evoke wrote: »

you should try and get an article in the advertiser with a good heading

"NUIG bike stealing scandal. 1000 bike stolen since 2009"

that will get them doing some thing about it

yeah the university hates bad press.


I like the idea of setting a sting, but instead of tracking where they take the bikes, just jump out of nowhere and beat the fuukrs with clubs. Do that a few times, and bike thefts around the city will drop.

StonedRaider

colleague lost 2 bikes in the space or 11weeks outside our workplace. and they were both ****ty rusty cheapo €40 second hand bikes..

Daisy1985

My son's bike was stolen in Galway city on Thursday night...locked securely to a post in the city for a short while at night time. His friend's bike was stolen about 4 weeks ago just outside his residence also. Both bikes had strong locks on them and were in well lit areas. They also know of a few other people who have had their bikes stolen in the city and at NUI. Would love to catch the dirty thieves red-handed but where there's a will to steal, there's a way! I like 'Squeeonline's' idea of possible ways to deal with these damn bike thieves. I reckon they may be part of a bigger operation though I'm afraid.

dmcg90

NMoore wrote: »

If you know anyone who lives in apartments with attached car parks in town, such as the Docks apartments, etc you could ask them for help? The apartments usually require key-codes or car-park fobs to get in, and the car parks almost always have an under-utilised bike rack. It's not foolproof, but provides an extra-layer of security, CCTV, and off-street parking for your bike in central, rain-proof locations.
PM me for more info...

Worthless, had my bike stolen from there. The code to get in to Dun Aengus is well known around town, and anyone can walk in after a motorist. Want to not get your bike robbed? Keep it in your house, if about keep two locks on it and keep it inside after 6pm.

StonedRaider

Set up a bait bike maybe:D

Sponge Bob

StonedRaider wrote: »

Set up a bait bike maybe:D

Ideally with a pipe bomb built in in case the bike is 'handled carelessly'

Seaneh

Maybe set up a few bait bikes with spy-bike gps chips in them, leave them around town, wait for little pricks to go for them and then follow them to their gaff, odds are more than a few of them will end up in the same place...

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/Spybike.jsp

muppetkiller

Re-posting this with faces removed.
Saw these guys down at the docks a few months ago and managed to snap them sneaking off. Cops were coming around the corner at the same time too so managed to get them to chase them, not sure if they were caught though.

dmcg90

muppetkiller wrote: »

Re-posting this with faces removed.
Saw these guys down at the docks a few months ago and managed to snap them sneaking off. Cops were coming around the corner at the same time too so managed to get them to chase them, not sure if they were caught though.

Question: It doesn't look like they have any equipment with them so how could they have robbed the bike?