The Chainlink

Today at the Swap-o-Rama

I noted some bikes that were almost certainly stolen. In some cases I cannot be sure of colors because I am, alas, a little color-blind. Wherever possible, I noted components.

Bianchi Axis with black and gray (?) frame. Saddle also two-toned black and gray (?)

Specialized Tricrross comp, black frame, Shimano Ultegra rear and Shimano 105 front derailleurs.

Scattante Americano--deep blue frame.

Jamis Aurora, what looked to me a pale gray frame, could be the Jamis 'Benzegreen' color, tall frame (at least 58/60 cm), distinctive tan bar tape, black Planet Bike fender set. Shimano Tiagra hubs.

Royal Scots three-speed, men's, black tall frame, knobby tires, no fenders.

Someone was also walking around two bikes, evidently trying to sell them to vendors. One was an SE Draft in a gold color--the newer model without the ridiculous "American' bottom bracket of the original Draft.

Also a tall frame (60/62) older Miyata Road bike in black. 

Some of these will probably still be there tomorrow, in case anyone recognizes his or her bike. Sorry I don't have pictures.

Views: 227

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 30, 2010 at 2:04pm
FYI regarding Swap-O-Rama-
The whole operation is completely illegal-- there are no business licenses, no taxes paid, and the local government (12 Ward) looks the other way. If interested in giving feedback on this situation, here's some info:

The 12th Ward Alderman George A. Cardenas would like to invite you to his 7th Annual Bike the Boulevard event coming up on June 12, 2010. Registration will start at 8:30am. Please help us to invite more adults to participate at the event. If you know of any Biking organizations that you would like me to extend the invitation please let me know.

Thanks for Biking with us and if you have any questions regarding the event please give me a call.

Flyer attached.

Sincerely,

Maria G. Chavez
Senior Liaison/Special Event Coordinator
12th Ward Public Service Office
Alderman George A Cardenas
2458 W. 38th Street
Chicago, IL 60632
773-523-8250 Office
773-523-8440 Fax
Permalink Reply by Alex on May 30, 2010 at 2:04pm


Alex said:
H3N3, thank you for contacting me. The gold SE Draft is almost 100% certainly my bike.
I live in Lincoln Square and I can't get to the Swap-O-Rama before it closes today. I will go on Thurs. If anyone is around there and wants to try to get it (I'm not quite sure how you'd go about that), I can give a $40 reward. I have the paper work for the bike -- I've only had it for 2 weeks. I wish I had seen this sooner and I would have been there today!
H3N3 said:
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 30, 2010 at 2:26pm
Here we have it-- stolen from Bucktown Friday night, for sale at 43rd/Ashland Saturday morning.
Would give anything for a picture of the guy trying to sell it.

Alex said:


Alex said:
H3N3, thank you for contacting me. The gold SE Draft is almost 100% certainly my bike.
I live in Lincoln Square and I can't get to the Swap-O-Rama before it closes today. I will go on Thurs. If anyone is around there and wants to try to get it (I'm not quite sure how you'd go about that), I can give a $40 reward. I have the paper work for the bike -- I've only had it for 2 weeks. I wish I had seen this sooner and I would have been there today! H3N3 said:
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 30, 2010 at 3:03pm
Brilliant, guys. I hope Chainlinkers can rally together and get more of these bikes returned to their rightful owners.


I hope the thieves aren't good at googling the bikes before trying to sell them though...... =
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on May 30, 2010 at 3:19pm
Howard,
The officially listed address of the Swap in 4100 S. Ashland, which no doubt accounts for the confusion. I can provide a rudimentary description of the guy with the SE Draft, but would be hesitant to do so on a public forum. Last time I helped someone recover a bike from the Swap-o-Rama, I didn't feel safe going back there for a long time, because I had talked extensively with the vendor about the bike. I don't do that anymore, but I was certainly noticed looking at bikes. If Alex would like to contact me about a description, please do so in a message.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on May 30, 2010 at 3:31pm
Ok, Howard, I've programmed your # into my cell phone. Mine is not in my name, so if you receive a call from a Theresa on a Saturday or Sunday morning or early afternoon, that will be me. Can I also message you? My name is Michael.
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on May 30, 2010 at 3:57pm
I added an event for a ride this Saturday; RSVP here.
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 30, 2010 at 7:22pm
Dr. Doom thanks for setting this up again!
I think last time our plan was great, we just went on a bad weekend. And I don't think we looked like a group of cyclists. I had a few of the sellers try and push the bikes on me and were more than willing to talk to me.
I should be back in Chicago by the weekend so I am in!

It looks like some of those bikes Howard posted were from quite a fews months ago. So we need to be sure to search all of the stolen bikes not just the recent ones.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 30, 2010 at 7:23pm
Best to try calling first-- I work most weekends either Saturday or Sunday morning. If I'm asleep I'll hear the call but not a text.
Who else with good search-fu is willing to be on standby here?

Moc Artsy said:
Ok, Howard, I've programmed your # into my cell phone. Mine is not in my name, so if you receive a call from a Theresa on a Saturday or Sunday morning or early afternoon, that will be me. Can I also message you? My name is Michael.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 30, 2010 at 7:28pm
Alex, make sure you file a police report if you haven't already-- if there isn't one it will make it harder to get help if it is seen.
Permalink Reply by Alex on June 1, 2010 at 9:33am
My brother's gf saw a guy walking around my neighborhood looking for bikes. at around 11 pm, it might be the same or different guy who stole my bike and some of the others bikes as well. Any new Updates on the swamp o Rama? I plan to go there on Thursday along with Dr dooms Posse on Saturday. Do you think it is a good idea to go on Thursday with my brother to just walk around and see I can spot it. If I do manage to find it what should my next step be? Should I call the cops, should i just take it? Also Should I bring any pepper spray just in case things get ugly?
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 1, 2010 at 10:34am
Assuming you've filed a police report, if you see your bike call the police immediately and try to get a photo of the vendor. If you think you can get away with it, ask to check out the bike and then u-lock it to something while waiting for the cops to show up, politely explaining that it's your bike and that the cops are on the way. If not, just stall for time while waiting for the cops. Under no circumstances should you pepper spray anyone.

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service