Have you had a bike stolen lately?

**SoWalRealtor** · 08-08-2009, 06:57 PM

A few weeks ago I had a bike stolen right out of my driveway in the broad daylight. I filed a sheriff's report. Since then, two other bikes have showed up in my neighborhood and left. I called the sheriff to report the "found" bikes, neither were reported stolen, but, he told me it happens all the time along 30A. Today, I noticed another bike left on the sidewalk and has been there all day. If it's there tomorrow, I'll report it too. So, if you've had a bike stolen please respond and describe it. I still have the other two in my garage and would love to find their owner. Wish I could find mine, it's a pink single speed beach cruiser.

**mikecatadjuster** · 08-08-2009, 10:01 PM

I've heard this has been an issue to some degree but I leave my bike unattended quite frequently, especially at bike stands at beach access areas or in Seaside. I sometimes wonder if it will be there when I get back.

The other night there was a group of younger kids, well adults I guess, it gets harder to tell as I age. Anyway, they just looked the part. And sure enough, this group seemed to have there way with the beach chairs offered by a vendor in the area.

As much as I don't like to think this area can have that element, with numbers of people here, odds increase. I guess that goes for people who throw their beer cans on the beach, leave their cigarette butts in the sand along with loads of other things. I guess true paradise doesn't fully exist.

***

Putting on my investigative hat... to me, it sounds like the person who stole your bike lives or has been vacationing in your neighborhood. Your bike may have been stolen when they were going to the beach. The two bikes you found were deposited when they came home. Makes sense to me. Good luck with the pink bike. Hope you can catch the guy so no one else has to be depressed by their wickedness.

**pk305** · 08-08-2009, 10:09 PM

I just copied this from my post of 6-06-09. If by any miracle the bikes you have discovered fit this description, please do PM me....that would make some fellas very happy!!

2 Trek bikes were stolen Saturday night/early Sunday morning on No. Ryan St. in Summer's Edge/Seagrove.

One is a TREK Mountain Bike Black & Gray.

The other is a TREK 7.1 Gray.

So sorry about your bike and I so hope you get your pink bike back....my cruiser is also pink....and I would not be happy if "she" disappeared!!

**beach lover** · 08-08-2009, 11:36 PM

I had a bike stolen a few weeks ago(just had my tire repaired that day )off my front porch in Seagrove. My husband's bike was right there also, but not taken. Mine is a girls candy apple red 21 speed, I believe a Jamis. I don't get to ride as often as I would like , so don't look at the name as much. I do miss it, wish someone has found it.

**Groovegirls** · 08-09-2009, 08:00 AM

I have a theory that young uns with no wheels take advantage of the oppurtunity for a free ride and then ditch the bikes when they get where they are going. Its a sad thing but, but a bike chain would deter most of this activity.

**gardening1970** · 08-09-2009, 08:27 AM

I've seen bikes lying under the bridges in the marshy areas of WaterColor. Appears they were dumped when the "fun" was over. My daughter's mid-size bike was stolen from a Seaside bike rack in April. Not a huge loss as far as bike's go, but disheartening nonetheless. We'll buy some locks next time. Interesting that my husband's expensive bike was parked next to hers and was left untouched.

**wrobert** · 08-09-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Groovegirls

I have a theory that young uns with no wheels take advantage of the oppurtunity for a free ride and then ditch the bikes when they get where they are going. Its a sad thing but, but a bike chain would deter most of this activity.

That is what happens in DFS. People get tired of walking, see a bike, take it and use to get to their destination and it is found later on several blocks away.

**Beach Runner** · 08-09-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by mikecatadjuster

I've heard this has been an issue to some degree but I leave my bike unattended quite frequently, especially at bike stands at beach access areas or in Seaside. I sometimes wonder if it will be there when I get back.

The other night there was a group of younger kids, well adults I guess, it gets harder to tell as I age. Anyway, they just looked the part. And sure enough, this group seemed to have there way with the beach chairs offered by a vendor in the area.

As much as I don't like to think this area can have that element, with numbers of people here, odds increase. I guess that goes for people who throw their beer cans on the beach, leave their cigarette butts in the sand along with loads of other things. I guess true paradise doesn't fully exist.

***

Putting on my investigative hat... to me, it sounds like the person who stole your bike lives or has been vacationing in your neighborhood. Your bike may have been stolen when they were going to the beach. The two bikes you found were deposited when they came home. Makes sense to me. Good luck with the pink bike. Hope you can catch the guy so no one else has to be depressed by their wickedness.

There are a lot of bad kids hanging out in Seaside, including some locals. They befriended the young teenagers of a friend of mine whose family was vacationing at the beach, found out where their house was, and stole a couple of thousand dollars worth of surfboards in what I'd call a very secure area. They also had plenty of marijuana and cigarettes and offered it to the kids.

Parents, don't let your young teens hang out at night unsupervised at Seaside. These bad kids are roaming around like sharks.

Maybe Seaside needs a security officer with a drug-sniffing dog to patrol the place at night during the "high" (pardon the pun) season.

**wrobert** · 08-09-2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

There are a lot of bad kids hanging out in Seaside, including some locals. They befriended the young teenagers of a friend of mine whose family was vacationing at the beach, found out where their house was, and stole a couple of thousand dollars worth of surfboards in what I'd call a very secure area. They also had plenty of marijuana and cigarettes and offered it to the kids.

Parents, don't let your young teens hang out at night unsupervised at Seaside. These bad kids are roaming around like sharks.

Maybe Seaside needs a security officer with a drug-sniffing dog to patrol the place at night during the "high" (pardon the pun) season.

Bad kids with drugs can wonder freely around Seaside, but try it toting a 35MM camera.

**Beach Runner** · 08-09-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Bad kids with drugs can wonder freely around Seaside, but try it toting a 35MM camera.

Go figure.

**disco** · 08-09-2009, 05:26 PM

Here is an idea for you geniuses. LOCK UP YOUR BIKES!! Buy a 5 dollar chain and lock and use it. Realize that criminals do not target smart prepared people, instead they go after the idiots that leave their property unsecured year after year. Lock your car doors and lock up anything you do not want stolen or else quit complaining. Just because it is pretty here it doesn't mean it is safe to leave your property just laying around for the taking.

**BeachbumAggie** · 08-09-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by disco

Here is an idea for you geniuses. LOCK UP YOUR BIKES!! Buy a 5 dollar chain and lock and use it. Realize that criminals do not target smart prepared people, instead they go after the idiots that leave their property unsecured year after year. Lock your car doors and lock up anything you do not want stolen or else quit complaining. Just because it is pretty here it doesn't mean it is safe to leave your property just laying around for the taking.

That's a little harsh.

We do have chains and locks for when we bring our own bikes and we remove our small lights from our bikes as well. While I Key West we learned that those were frequently removed. Seems like when we've rented bikes that the rental agency provided chains and locks. Frankly your stuff should be safe on your property but that's not the world we seem to live in.

I hope everyone finds that bikes and that those other bikes find their owners!!

**scooterbug44** · 08-09-2009, 11:29 PM

I don't think it's THAT harsh - while it does still happen, it certainly is rarer for folks to complain that they have had a bike stolen that was locked up, had something taken from a locked car, from inside a locked house etc.

Given the current economy and the basic reality of the world, locking stuff up does go a long way in deterring theft.

**IdeaMark** · 08-10-2009, 12:42 AM

I just had 2 bikes stolen tonight from 2 different locations. 1 from the Don Crim beach access and 1 from our Seagrove condo. We were standing on the beach walkway for only 15 minutes, and it was stolen right behind our back.

One is a men's Montego blue & silver beach cruiser with rusted chrome fenders
and the other is a women's Caloi dark turquoise with the left grip missing its foam

Last week a neighbor had his bike stolen - we walked through the neighboring community and recovered it.

If these are stolen for money and not a joy ride, where are they being resold at? I rarely see used bikes for sale...?

Thanks for starting this thread.