Walking around Lakeview with an angle grinder

On Friday afternoon someone cut through my U-lock with an angle grinder!

In the middle of the afternoon!!  

 

Right after I got done warning someone about locking up with a cable lock.  

 

BYE BYE bike #2 to Chicago bike thieves. Great way to start the summer.

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Permalink Reply by heather s on May 2, 2010 at 9:10am
Oh man. I'm sorry to hear that. It's so disheartening to think of how many people may have seen this theft in action, and did nothing. I hope you can get a new ride soon.
Permalink Reply by Vilda on May 2, 2010 at 9:26am
We really do need to ride around lakeview/lincoln park lookin for these pieces of shit!
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 2, 2010 at 9:36am
so my point beyond, this sucks! Is what should people do to prevent this from happening??
I have heard more than enough stories in the past few months of this happening to people.
Really can we not lock our bikes up outside in the day time for a few hours?
So if you live in Lakeview, I would say watch your shit and double lock!
Permalink Reply by Matt AKA Jimbo/BMXican on May 2, 2010 at 9:46am
Suck, sorry to hear that Laura.
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on May 2, 2010 at 9:58am
One more reason to think about getting a Brompton...
and not ever locking it anywhere but next to you.
:(

Unfortunately, it is my strong conviction that there is no way to lock a bike that will stop theft 100% of the time. It wasn't your fault.
Permalink Reply by Vondo on May 2, 2010 at 10:56am
I left my bike locked up last night outside a bar, and when I came out about an hour later someone had tried to steal it. Fortunately, their preferred method was to yank on it at hard as they could and hope to force the lock open. When I came out the bike was laying on the ground in an awkward position. I guess the scratches on the top tube are a small price to pay for keeping the bike. Would be awesome if places started offering indoor parking for bikes. Would definitely influence my choices of watering holes.
Permalink Reply by Jackie on May 2, 2010 at 2:58pm
What area of Lakeview may I ask? I walk a lot of dogs in Lincoln Park and Lakeview and need to know where to be extra careful. ... I've had a wheel stolen on Lincoln Ave. by Oz Park a little over a year ago - my fault, it was quick release and I didn't cable it... :-[
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 2, 2010 at 3:18pm
it was on cornelia between sheffield and halsted. but really Im sure these assholes are everywhere.

I did not have internet access until today so I could not post it on the stolen bike registry right away. I'll post it and make a report as soon as i get the serial number on monday. Also I talked to T.C. about the flea market that you guys went to on saturday already and he said he did not recall seeing anything that resembled my bike.
Permalink Reply by Laura on May 2, 2010 at 4:38pm
I do not think it was a metal scrapper. My bike was locked up right next to another bike that has been there for at least 6 months! I would think they would take both bikes, or would have previously taken the other bike if they just wanted the material.

H3N3 said:
Thanks, Laura.
Yeah, very frustrating that using a U-lock is no longer enough . . .

The only sighting of someone cutting a U-lock that's ever been reported to me seemed to fit the profile or a metal scrapper with a professional portable metal cutoff saw than a portable angle grinder.

Bizarre that so few of these are witnessed. And definitely on the rise for the last year or so.

Laura said:
it was on cornelia between sheffield and halsted. but really Im sure these assholes are everywhere.

I did not have internet access until today so I could not post it on the stolen bike registry right away. I'll post it and make a report as soon as i get the serial number on monday. Also I talked to T.C. about the flea market that you guys went to on saturday already and he said he did not recall seeing anything that resembled my bike.
Permalink Reply by Ron on May 3, 2010 at 1:56am
Sorry for your loss. I agree, U-locks suck and don't use one myself. It takes about 25 seconds to the models you have pictured, so perhaps no one actually saw the thief jack your bike.
The Flea market at 43rd and Ashland is littered with stolen shit. Some guys wait 6 months of more to put a bike out for sale. Easy to do since inventory cost is really cheap.

Perhaps a ride of about 40 or so people that visits this market every Saturday for a few weeks in row would reclaim some of these bikes. It would help if folks take and post pictures of their bikes especially the serial #. I'd be happy to sponsor coffee for the early morning ride and serve as a meetup place. I've gone to markets before and reclaimed property that I knew belonged to others. Trust me, they will very easily let you take it back. If there are 40 people staring them down, they may actually shit their pants. Have fun and reclaim other cyclists property. That's a win/win. Now who's in?
Permalink Reply by Vilda on May 3, 2010 at 2:08am
Pick a saturday from the calendar where there are no rides yet and post this as an event. This could be fun ;-)
Permalink Reply by Ron on May 3, 2010 at 2:23am
This ride would start around 7:30 A.M. end around 9:30. So it wouldn't conflict with most rides. Start next week is fine by me. Oh and don't forget to bring cameras. Take pics of obviously stolen shit and post them here. If that's ok.

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