My stolen bike is listed for sale on Craigslist.org

Hello, the bike I posted about being stolen a few months ago has popped up on craigslist. What should I do? I do not trust the police to do anything, though if you have any experience dealing with them, please let me know how that worked. I feel like i should go and take a closer look to make sure and just take matters into my own hands. At the moment the seller has one other bike listed, so if it is my bike, mostly likely there are others.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 6, 2009 at 10:24am

Make arrangements with the seller to inspect/test ride the bike. Take cell phone. Take back up. Call police in advance. You never know what the police will do until you ask. There are threads here on the Chainlink about successful stolen bike recoveries.

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Permalink Reply by heather s on October 6, 2009 at 10:28am

You should have some proof that the bike was yours. The police probably won't help unless you can prove it.

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Permalink Reply by joe on October 6, 2009 at 11:09am

did u report it stolen with a decrip. of the bike and all that jazz? if so u will have an incident # or what ever there called. so calling the police shouldnt be a big deal. i dont dig the cops either but id rather they know whats up so when im taking it back the cops dont come and shoot me.

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Permalink Reply by XV on October 6, 2009 at 11:11am

yea careful, this guy might have bought from someone who he thought was legit too so don't jump to conclusions. It does look like your bike though from your old thread

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on October 6, 2009 at 12:21pm

Just remember unless you have proof it's yours you try and take it from the guy it is theft.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on October 7, 2009 at 3:54am

I'd bring a lock with you. If you're sure it's yours when you see it and you bring proof of purchase/ownership, lock it up while things get sorted out with the seller directly, or with the police if needed.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on October 7, 2009 at 5:53am

call the police and have some identification, like bike serial number or a photo of the bike especially with you in it. good luck.

or try calling a newspaper and tell them you have a story.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on October 7, 2009 at 6:06am

Posting this was probably a bad idea. Now the thief knows...

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Permalink Reply by Barry on October 7, 2009 at 6:10am

There was a story about this on npr a month ago. This chicago cops didn't want to get involved until the guy claimed his bike was worth like $5,000. So they set up a sting and he got his bike back.

It's the 2nd story, after the drug war one. Linky

Good luck Kringle, don't hurt anyone or get hurt yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Kringle on October 7, 2009 at 6:38am

ive heard that radio story.. i already have a report filed from June when it was stolen. called the police this morning..said they cant do anything over the phone- dont have the cases in their computer system (how ghetto is that?) So ill be going in later to see what they say. my friend called as well and all the officer said was "good luck". ive had two people call the number on the ad and noone picked up or returned messages. I realize it could not be my bike, and dont want to get radical until i can see it to confirm, but it is fishy behavior.

as far as posting on here goes.. whoops, I tried taking the old photo down but i guess its still up. hopefully the seller is ignorant and wont find it.

i am very not about just letting assnuggets take advantage of peoples fears and i sincerely hope the cops are of some aid. ill keep ya updated.