My Bike Recovery Story

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your well wishes when you heard I got my bike stolen.  The bike community honestly is like a family.  All the people who offered help and support, thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

As some of you know, I'm pretty short, so losing this bike was devastating to me since it's the first bike I've ever owned that actually fit me. I have several other bikes, but none of them fit me like this one does. It's a 39 cm frame with 24 inch wheels.

 

Now on to the  recovery story....

 

My bike was stolen Friday afternoon outside my office in Lincoln Park.  No  cut u lock, no signs of the rack being compromised. I honestly thought that maybe I hadn't rode in that day.... but I had my helmet and rain pants so I know I wasn't going crazy.

 

Immediately I filed a police report over the phone, added it to the stolen bike reg and sent emails to friends.

 

Yesterday a few people checked out the swap on the s side with no luck.

 

This morning I headed back there with a couple of friends.

 

Within 5 minutes I saw the bike, we called the cops and they recovered the bike for me.  No arrests.

 

My fenders and rack were missing (which had numerous stickers) but besides that, mommy and baby are reunited.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on March 6, 2011 at 3:26pm
Good to hear!
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on March 6, 2011 at 3:29pm
Hooray!  Did you get a pic of the seller?
Permalink Reply by Martha Williams on March 6, 2011 at 3:54pm
Yay! Glad you got your baby back.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 6, 2011 at 4:21pm
Woo. Hoo!
Permalink Reply by Sue Clark on March 6, 2011 at 4:27pm
Good news!
Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 6, 2011 at 4:43pm

Julie, that's the best news i've heard all weekend! i knew you'd get it back, glad it was so soon. Wish i'd been there to see it. Too bad there wasn't any arrest. Any clue how they got it?

Permalink Reply by Ash L. on March 6, 2011 at 4:56pm
So glad that you got it back but can you clarify why a citation was not issued? Even if the seller was not the thief, is being in possession of stolen property not considered a crime here?
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 6, 2011 at 5:10pm

Possession of stolen property is a crime. "I bought it from another guy" is an affirmative defense. "He's a scumbag, of course he knew it was stolen!" is an argument, and does not elevate to the level of evidence and certainly not proof.

 

Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/16-1 reads in pertinent part:

"A person commits theft when he knowingly obtains control over stolen property knowing the property to have been stolen or under such circumstances as would reasonably induce him to believe that the property was stolen."

A single incident of a single stolen bike is unlikely to result in an arrest by the police. Even if it did, it is unlikely the individual would be convicted. When the police identify an individual who has been in possession of demonstrably stolen goods on multiple occasions, they will arrest him for possession of stolen goods. What's the difference you ask? After multiple times of being in possession of goods that turn out to be stolen, the inference becomes stronger that the individual knows or should know that the property is stolen.  



Ash L. said:
So glad that you got it back but can you clarify why a citation was not issued? Even if the seller was not the thief, is being in possession of stolen property not considered a crime here?
Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on March 6, 2011 at 5:22pm

It is definately a great day! 

 

Can I just say what a great bike community we have on the Chainlink?!

 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 6, 2011 at 6:55pm
no, no picture.  I should have, but didn't.  I was shaking so much and trying to stay calm at the same time....

Joe TV said:
Hooray!  Did you get a pic of the seller?
Permalink Reply by Kelly on March 7, 2011 at 2:37am
AMEN to that!!!!

A.K.A Paul said:

It is definately a great day! 

 

Can I just say what a great bike community we have on the Chainlink?!

 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 7, 2011 at 4:09am

I'm glad you got your bike back. It's too bad the bad guys get away scot-free.   Not everyone this guys steels from in the future is going to be so lucky :(

 

At least this is a learning experience for everyone reading this on what to do for ourselves when we have a bike stolen. I am at least hopeful that there is a good chance that a stolen bike actually CAN be recovered if one puts enough effort into it. 

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