Stolen Bianchi Pista

I just wanted to put the word out there in case someone spots my bike, which was stolen last night at 1915 w huron in hopes that we can get reunited.

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Permalink Reply by Niya Beraha on August 25, 2012 at 10:38am

And I got it back it was for sale on craigslist!

Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 25, 2012 at 11:24am

Nice.

Did you find it yourself on craigslist? what's the story?

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 25, 2012 at 2:22pm

Niya--congrats on getting your bike back!  Your bike is still listed as stolen on the registry here. You should probably let them know it's been recovered so the case can be closed.

Permalink Reply by Niya Beraha on August 26, 2012 at 1:39pm

I will be more than happy to share! I called my operation a Jake Gillum, because I watched his video and it gave me hope...

So here it goes:

On the 22nd Wed my bike was stolen between 3am and 12pm. Later that afternoon I posted here and reported it at 311.

I kept checking craigslist all day in hopes it will pop up. Thursday I went to the Swap 0 Rama- Chicago's massive flea market, where a lot of bikes end up, but unfortunately it was not there.

I checked back on craigslist at 8pm, and found an add posted at 5pm - if the link is still live it will be here listed as old Bianchi. Well well that was most definitely my bike, even with the blurry pic and switched out wheels, seat, handlebars I knew. It still had the white leather straps on the clips and I googled the location "Evergreen" a street only a mile north of where it was stolen so much for coincidence. 

First thing I did was email the ad as a potential buyer, then called some friends and told them to email too in case he does not reply to me. The longest day followed I kept waking up in the middle of the night and checking my email. I was determined to get it back no matter what.

Surely the next day he texted me( I had given my work cell just in case he looked up my report here), apparently I was the first to respond to the ad. We set up a meet for noon the next day Sat. 

I called 311 to follow  up and they told me to go to the police station a file a follow up report ( not necessary the 311 call proved enough) however I stumble into what google maps called a police station but was really an Chicago Police Dept. Office in the City Hall it was the closest location to my place of work. There I met Officer Pauly who was super cool and gave me the down low on actually how to do this...

He gave me the number for the Tactical Unit in the District 18 ( close by but it was not the right district for the meet up, maybe he knew the guys or got it wrong either way) and told me to either call ahead or show up there too hours before the meet.

I called but talked to someone who was not really understanding, undermining the importance of my case and the value of my property. Any who next day tired from the sleepless nights and pre sting operation anxiety I overslept over the three alarms I has set up in order to be in time for all the bureaucratic formalities at the police station.It was 10:30 am I texted the guy to push the meeting to one, and arrived at the station at noon. 

Lets say the officers were not optimistic since I did not have the serial number to prove it was mine, I myself bought it on craigslist so no receipt, there were ways to contact the previous owner so I was not worried at least if the police had it I knew where to find it. I described all the scratches and markings on the frame and fork, as well as on the other parts in case there were the original.

Time to meet up... Division and Damen.... the unmarked police car cruised by but we did not see anyone, we parked at the gas station and waited, nothing.... I stepped out of the car towards the curb and the bus station and texted him again saying I am right here by the gas station. He said he was by the pump right behind me. Luckily the gas station divided the parking lot and hid the police car, he was being cautious and waited in a white beat up van to spot me first. 

2 kids approached me with the bike. I started talking to them while I was checking the bike for the signs it was mine. Like hell it was I know those scratches and if they were on my skin. The Tact team approached on both sides, and confronted the kids. The kid said he bought of a crack head, at that moment pops up the Dad... his version was he bought it at the Swap O Rama on Thursday.... etc

The serial number was defaced so, the officers repossessed the bike, but no arrest was made since we could not actually prove that they stole it. 

When the police ran their names the Dad turned out to be a gang banger with charges for 2 domestic violence, 2 auto thefts, a rape and others, expired drivers licence with a handy caped plates and the 16 yr. old kid had battery charges.

This is the cell # he used 312-714-2918, he is still roaming around the Ukrainian village and Wicker park so Chicagoans be aware and hopefully we will get this guy arrested someday but it seems he is managing quite well all by himself anyway. Feel free to contact me if you need assistance repossessing your rides, sometimes a female gets further ;)

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 26, 2012 at 2:20pm

That is one of the best recoveries ever, with the police backing you up in a sting operation.  Cool!  This is the way it should always go down.  Nicely done.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 27, 2012 at 3:31am

I was pretty sure there is a law that it is illegal to be in possession of stolen merchandise, right?  

The guys who had my bike at the swap o rama were threatened with arrest if they didn't give the bike back but that was it.  

When we walked out I thought about that law.  By the time I really thought about it the cops who helped gone.

Niya Beraha said:

I will be more than happy to share! I called my operation a Jake Gillum, because I watched his video and it gave me hope...

So here it goes:

On the 22nd Wed my bike was stolen between 3am and 12pm. Later that afternoon I posted here and reported it at 311.

I kept checking craigslist all day in hopes it will pop up. Thursday I went to the Swap 0 Rama- Chicago's massive flea market, where a lot of bikes end up, but unfortunately it was not there.

I checked back on craigslist at 8pm, and found an add posted at 5pm - if the link is still live it will be here listed as old Bianchi. Well well that was most definitely my bike, even with the blurry pic and switched out wheels, seat, handlebars I knew. It still had the white leather straps on the clips and I googled the location "Evergreen" a street only a mile north of where it was stolen so much for coincidence. 

First thing I did was email the ad as a potential buyer, then called some friends and told them to email too in case he does not reply to me. The longest day followed I kept waking up in the middle of the night and checking my email. I was determined to get it back no matter what.

Surely the next day he texted me( I had given my work cell just in case he looked up my report here), apparently I was the first to respond to the ad. We set up a meet for noon the next day Sat. 

I called 311 to follow  up and they told me to go to the police station a file a follow up report ( not necessary the 311 call proved enough) however I stumble into what google maps called a police station but was really an Chicago Police Dept. Office in the City Hall it was the closest location to my place of work. There I met Officer Pauly who was super cool and gave me the down low on actually how to do this...

He gave me the number for the Tactical Unit in the District 18 ( close by but it was not the right district for the meet up, maybe he knew the guys or got it wrong either way) and told me to either call ahead or show up there too hours before the meet.

I called but talked to someone who was not really understanding, undermining the importance of my case and the value of my property. Any who next day tired from the sleepless nights and pre sting operation anxiety I overslept over the three alarms I has set up in order to be in time for all the bureaucratic formalities at the police station.It was 10:30 am I texted the guy to push the meeting to one, and arrived at the station at noon. 

Lets say the officers were not optimistic since I did not have the serial number to prove it was mine, I myself bought it on craigslist so no receipt, there were ways to contact the previous owner so I was not worried at least if the police had it I knew where to find it. I described all the scratches and markings on the frame and fork, as well as on the other parts in case there were the original.

Time to meet up... Division and Damen.... the unmarked police car cruised by but we did not see anyone, we parked at the gas station and waited, nothing.... I stepped out of the car towards the curb and the bus station and texted him again saying I am right here by the gas station. He said he was by the pump right behind me. Luckily the gas station divided the parking lot and hid the police car, he was being cautious and waited in a white beat up van to spot me first. 

2 kids approached me with the bike. I started talking to them while I was checking the bike for the signs it was mine. Like hell it was I know those scratches and if they were on my skin. The Tact team approached on both sides, and confronted the kids. The kid said he bought of a crack head, at that moment pops up the Dad... his version was he bought it at the Swap O Rama on Thursday.... etc

The serial number was defaced so, the officers repossessed the bike, but no arrest was made since we could not actually prove that they stole it. 

When the police ran their names the Dad turned out to be a gang banger with charges for 2 domestic violence, 2 auto thefts, a rape and others, expired drivers licence with a handy caped plates and the 16 yr. old kid had battery charges.

This is the cell # he used 312-714-2918, he is still roaming around the Ukrainian village and Wicker park so Chicagoans be aware and hopefully we will get this guy arrested someday but it seems he is managing quite well all by himself anyway. Feel free to contact me if you need assistance repossessing your rides, sometimes a female gets further ;)

Permalink Reply by dan brown on August 27, 2012 at 4:26am

yay ! thanks for sharing. question : the bike is yours, etc. and you have it back; but what about the whole

issue of being in posession of a bike with a defaced serial number ? it's not that big a deal...but just wondering.  (what I mean is you are now in posession of it (legally) but could you be penalized for that ???)

Permalink Reply by Kyle on August 27, 2012 at 5:24am

What swap-o-rama did you guys go to look for your bike? The Ashland location? Does it run 7 days a week? 

You said that they were threatened by arrest but by whom? Did you go to the swap with an officer or are officers on duty at the flea market?

My dad just had a 95' Trek Pro Issue stolen and we're doing everything we can to track it down... one of a kind bike. Contacting local stores, checking craigslist, going to make a post on chicago.stolenbike.org, going to make a post here and want to check out the swap.


Julie Hochstadter said:

I was pretty sure there is a law that it is illegal to be in possession of stolen merchandise, right?  

The guys who had my bike at the swap o rama were threatened with arrest if they didn't give the bike back but that was it.  

When we walked out I thought about that law.  By the time I really thought about it the cops who helped gone.

Niya Beraha said:

I will be more than happy to share! I called my operation a Jake Gillum, because I watched his video and it gave me hope...

So here it goes:

On the 22nd Wed my bike was stolen between 3am and 12pm. Later that afternoon I posted here and reported it at 311.

I kept checking craigslist all day in hopes it will pop up. Thursday I went to the Swap 0 Rama- Chicago's massive flea market, where a lot of bikes end up, but unfortunately it was not there.

I checked back on craigslist at 8pm, and found an add posted at 5pm - if the link is still live it will be here listed as old Bianchi. Well well that was most definitely my bike, even with the blurry pic and switched out wheels, seat, handlebars I knew. It still had the white leather straps on the clips and I googled the location "Evergreen" a street only a mile north of where it was stolen so much for coincidence. 

First thing I did was email the ad as a potential buyer, then called some friends and told them to email too in case he does not reply to me. The longest day followed I kept waking up in the middle of the night and checking my email. I was determined to get it back no matter what.

Surely the next day he texted me( I had given my work cell just in case he looked up my report here), apparently I was the first to respond to the ad. We set up a meet for noon the next day Sat. 

I called 311 to follow  up and they told me to go to the police station a file a follow up report ( not necessary the 311 call proved enough) however I stumble into what google maps called a police station but was really an Chicago Police Dept. Office in the City Hall it was the closest location to my place of work. There I met Officer Pauly who was super cool and gave me the down low on actually how to do this...

He gave me the number for the Tactical Unit in the District 18 ( close by but it was not the right district for the meet up, maybe he knew the guys or got it wrong either way) and told me to either call ahead or show up there too hours before the meet.

I called but talked to someone who was not really understanding, undermining the importance of my case and the value of my property. Any who next day tired from the sleepless nights and pre sting operation anxiety I overslept over the three alarms I has set up in order to be in time for all the bureaucratic formalities at the police station.It was 10:30 am I texted the guy to push the meeting to one, and arrived at the station at noon. 

Lets say the officers were not optimistic since I did not have the serial number to prove it was mine, I myself bought it on craigslist so no receipt, there were ways to contact the previous owner so I was not worried at least if the police had it I knew where to find it. I described all the scratches and markings on the frame and fork, as well as on the other parts in case there were the original.

Time to meet up... Division and Damen.... the unmarked police car cruised by but we did not see anyone, we parked at the gas station and waited, nothing.... I stepped out of the car towards the curb and the bus station and texted him again saying I am right here by the gas station. He said he was by the pump right behind me. Luckily the gas station divided the parking lot and hid the police car, he was being cautious and waited in a white beat up van to spot me first. 

2 kids approached me with the bike. I started talking to them while I was checking the bike for the signs it was mine. Like hell it was I know those scratches and if they were on my skin. The Tact team approached on both sides, and confronted the kids. The kid said he bought of a crack head, at that moment pops up the Dad... his version was he bought it at the Swap O Rama on Thursday.... etc

The serial number was defaced so, the officers repossessed the bike, but no arrest was made since we could not actually prove that they stole it. 

When the police ran their names the Dad turned out to be a gang banger with charges for 2 domestic violence, 2 auto thefts, a rape and others, expired drivers licence with a handy caped plates and the 16 yr. old kid had battery charges.

This is the cell # he used 312-714-2918, he is still roaming around the Ukrainian village and Wicker park so Chicagoans be aware and hopefully we will get this guy arrested someday but it seems he is managing quite well all by himself anyway. Feel free to contact me if you need assistance repossessing your rides, sometimes a female gets further ;)

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 27, 2012 at 6:33am
Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 27, 2012 at 11:23am

Ways to prove your bike is yours even without a serial number:

* write your name and cell phone number on small pieces of paper (or use business cards if you have one) and tuck them in the seat post, handlebars, and between the tires and tubes.  It's unlikely the thief will find any or all, so while the cops are standing there you can pull it out in front of them and prove the bike's yours.

* take photos of your bike, ideally one with you next to it showing possession, plus close-ups of unique scratches, labels that are unlikely to be easily removed, accessories you've added to the stock bike, so you can go photo by photo with the police to prove this unique bike is really yours.

*engrave your name/cell phone/other id into the top tube, down tube, anywhere on the frame (the wheels may get changed up by the bad guy).

Yeah, this stuff only works if you do it before the bike gets stolen, but none of us really has an excuse not to do these things as prevention, it's not like we don't know how to do this.

 

In Niya's case, the police had no real way of knowing who defaced the serial number: the owner before Niya, Niya herself or the recent thieves.  I think that's why they confiscated the bike, because no one could absolutely prove ownership and no one could prove who altered the serial number.  I'm hoping that Niya will get her bike back from the police when she finds a photo of herself on the bike or some other way of proof.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 27, 2012 at 11:35am

These are all excellent suggestions TS, and they all work with the Chicago Police Department for proving ownership.

My reading of this recovery story was that the bike was "repossessed" from the unrightful possessors and returned to Niya. Was that wrong?

This was a somewhat special case in that the serial number was defaced, but for godssakes people! It takes five minutes to find and write down your serial number. 

Thunder Snow said:

Ways to prove your bike is yours even without a serial number:

* write your name and cell phone number on small pieces of paper (or use business cards if you have one) and tuck them in the seat post, handlebars, and between the tires and tubes.  It's unlikely the thief will find any or all, so while the cops are standing there you can pull it out in front of them and prove the bike's yours.

* take photos of your bike, ideally one with you next to it showing possession, plus close-ups of unique scratches, labels that are unlikely to be easily removed, accessories you've added to the stock bike, so you can go photo by photo with the police to prove this unique bike is really yours.

*engrave your name/cell phone/other id into the top tube, down tube, anywhere on the frame (the wheels may get changed up by the bad guy).

Yeah, this stuff only works if you do it before the bike gets stolen, but none of us really has an excuse not to do these things as prevention, it's not like we don't know how to do this.

 

In Niya's case, the police had no real way of knowing who defaced the serial number: the owner before Niya, Niya herself or the recent thieves.  I think that's why they confiscated the bike, because no one could absolutely prove ownership and no one could prove who altered the serial number.  I'm hoping that Niya will get her bike back from the police when she finds a photo of herself on the bike or some other way of proof.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 27, 2012 at 1:25pm

I read "The serial number was defaced so, the officers repossessed the bike, but no arrest was made since we could not actually prove that they stole it."  Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I took that to mean the bike was now in the hands of the police, headed for the police auction if ownership couldn't be proved.  If Niya has it back, this is an even better recovery than I thought it was!

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