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Permalink Reply by Erin Vogel on August 27, 2012 at 5:18pm

Hey -- great work on getting your bike back. That's such a great story and I'm glad it worked out so well. I'm glad I came across this post because I just started working on an article about recovering bikes through Craigslist after my friend recovered her stolen bike in a similar way last week. Do you think I could talk to you a little bit more about what happened and use your story as an example for the article? If you're up for it, let me know -- my e-mail is erine.vogel@gmail.com.

thanks! and again, awesome work.

Erin

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 ;)

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Permalink Reply by Niya Beraha on August 30, 2012 at 7:49pm

Hey Kyle sorry for the delayed response the swap o Rama on 4200 S Ashland. It is open I believe Thursdays and the weekend,but look it up just in case.

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Permalink Reply by Niya Beraha on August 30, 2012 at 8:02pm

@thunder snow yes it was repossessed and inventoried and then given back to me. I think the police was more concerned with the court case outcome even though there could have been grounds for arrest.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 31, 2012 at 3:10am

Yay!!!  Sometimes things just work out right.
 
Niya Beraha said:

@thunder snow yes it was repossessed and inventoried and then given back to me.

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Permalink Reply by Lena Burkut on August 31, 2012 at 10:27am

This is a pretty cool story. I get so paranoid that one of my neighbors might forget to close the garage. I live in the suburbia, but we our condo got broken into few months ago. The garage is so much more accessible  

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 31, 2012 at 10:31am

If you are not the sole person with access to a garage then don't leave unlocked bikes in there.   Even so, lock your bikes up unless you don't love them.   Garages aren't very secure places to store stuff.    It's pretty easy to defeat a garage door. 

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