The Chainlink

Bike Stolen in Irving Park...Please help me find my bike.

Hi, my bike was stolen Monday, April 9th between 5-7am from my apartment. Wondering if maybe you fellow bikers can keep an eye out for me?

It's a Bianchi, Nirone, size 46, women's bike, mostly white with Teel accents, great condition. At the time it was stolen it had a white bike light on the top of the bike and taillights.

I have the serial number and receipt. I'm searching around the city, but some extra eyes would help too!! Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on April 14, 2012 at 4:30am

Jennifer:

So sorry to hear about the bike theft. You have the serial number and receipt, you've made a police report and you've listed it on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry, so you seem to have done all the right things.  For the rest of us, here's the link: http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192373

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Vacanti on April 14, 2012 at 4:48pm

Thanks, I looked around at Swap O Rama, but it doesn't seem to be the place for a bike like this. I am now checking Craigslist everyday. Anyone else know where to look? Probably not much else I can do.

Thunder Snow said:

Jennifer:

So sorry to hear about the bike theft. You have the serial number and receipt, you've made a police report and you've listed it on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry, so you seem to have done all the right things.  For the rest of us, here's the link: http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192373

Permalink Reply by Ace Mann on April 14, 2012 at 7:51pm
Swap O Rama is one of the places for it.They flip every type of stolen bike at that place. They are pretty brazen about it.

Jennifer Vacanti said:

Thanks, I looked around at Swap O Rama, but it doesn't seem to be the place for a bike like this. I am now checking Craigslist everyday. Anyone else know where to look? Probably not much else I can do.

Thunder Snow said:

Jennifer:

So sorry to hear about the bike theft. You have the serial number and receipt, you've made a police report and you've listed it on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry, so you seem to have done all the right things.  For the rest of us, here's the link: http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192373

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on April 14, 2012 at 10:13pm

But there are plenty of times you go there and you don't see a single bike that looks like anyone could possibly care about it being gone.

Swap O Rama would not be my first thought for a roommate situation/unlocked apartment door scenario on the northwest side. 

Ace Mann said:

Swap O Rama is one of the places for it.They flip every type of stolen bike at that place. They are pretty brazen about it.

Jennifer Vacanti said:

Thanks, I looked around at Swap O Rama, but it doesn't seem to be the place for a bike like this. I am now checking Craigslist everyday. Anyone else know where to look? Probably not much else I can do.

Thunder Snow said:

Jennifer:

So sorry to hear about the bike theft. You have the serial number and receipt, you've made a police report and you've listed it on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry, so you seem to have done all the right things.  For the rest of us, here's the link: http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192373

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 15, 2012 at 12:40am
Good luck.

My first road bike was a bianchi. They are great bikes. Hopefully it will show up. Its a small chance, but does happen.
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Vacanti on April 18, 2012 at 4:43pm

Thanks fellow bikers, I'm not going to give up looking for it!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 18, 2012 at 5:17pm

It's hard to find and identify a stolen bike on CL sometimes because some of the smart thieves will not list it as the bike they are selling.  They will list a a similar bike with a similar size/model/brand/component level, but just different enough for you to think, "well, that isn't MY bike..."  Then when someone calls/ replies to the ad they will say that the bike in the ad Just Sold -but they have another bike just like it they were also about to list.  That is the stolen bike they have all along in the first place but this way they never have to directly list it on CL for the owner to find.

If you really want to put the work into it you will have to email/call/text EVERY ad that has bike that is even remotely similar to yours and make sure it isn't a bait & switch type cover like what I was talking about above.

Thieves are sneaky.

It sucks that someone broke in and stole your bike.  Did they steal anything else?

Also, if you ever are buying a bike and someone pulls this bait & switch tactic on you it is pretty good odds they are selling stolen bikes.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Vacanti on April 20, 2012 at 6:22pm

Thanks for the Craigslist tip James.

There has only been a few bikes listed on CL that look similar to my bike and I have contacted them asking questions about the bike. Mine bike is size 46cm, so I think I do have that unique detail on my side.

No they only took the bike, it was close to my front door. This person was bold, I was asleep in the next room. What happened was my roommate came home drunk at 5am and left the apartment door unlocked and wide open. (she does not remember anything) At 7am I was up to get ready for work and the bike was gone. I think this person knew my roommate and possibly I was in the apartment, they were very quiet.

Her male co-worker dropped her off that morning. I'm almost certain it's him. I got his number, called and confronted him but he denies coming into the building. I even went further on to to say someone saw him (white lie) and he said well how about I come and they can ID me.

I have very nice neighbors, 5 other units, except 1 neighbor that's shady, I have never met or spoken to them. They don't answer their door, tried several times. No one can get into the building without being let in. Police said they will not search anyone's place or pursue anyone because it's considered harassment if there are no witnesses. Tough situation.

I just called 40 Bike Shops in Chicago today, and checking SWAP-O-Rama and Maxwell Street Market again this weekend. Bike shops have been really great with taking my information down...happy for that!

Thanks again for the tip!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 20, 2012 at 6:33pm

Ouch, finding a small-framed bike used can be very hard :(  There are so few of them around -a friend just went through that serach it a short time back.

I hope you find the bike.  If it was the friend and they are too big for the bike they will most certainly want to sell it (or strip it for components if they are even halfway nice.)

That does suck very much but at least they didn't take anything else from you or worse.  If I had a roommate who was that irresponsible I'd be really pissed at them.  Good luck in getting this worked out.

Permalink Reply by Jimmy Jam on April 21, 2012 at 7:54pm

Had my bike ripped from my front porch awhile back.  I SWEAR I saw it parked out front of Whole Foods and I wanted to check the SN but I was late for work.  It really sucks, you just wanna catch the prick and beat him!

Check CL, pawn shops, and local bike stores.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Vacanti on April 2, 2013 at 1:30pm

Good News!!!

My bike was found late last August. Sorry for not posting this earlier, school and work have kept me insanely busy. I just got to thinking how great it will be to actually ride my bike this summer and I thought I'd post this! It was found at CASH AMERICA on North and Damen by Mathew Talbert, who happens to be a member of the chain link. He noticed it hanging in the window and thought it looked suspicious.

I was extremely disappointed when I made the report the officer didn't take me seriously and I don't think he even put my bike number in the system. It was a joke to him. The pawn shop claimed they checked the police database. The police never followed up to find the thief. Anyway, I do have my awesome road bike back and so very much thanks to Matt. It's cool to know people actually look out for others in this big city. Thanks to others who kept their eyes out ;)

Jennifer

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 2, 2013 at 3:13pm

great news !!!

three cheers for the chainlink and Matthew !!!

DB

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