Swap O Rama Bike Recovery - Round 2

In the summer of 2010 my Fiance and I ran into a group from Chainlink at the Swap O Rama while we were there on our own trying to recover our stolen bike.  We didn't know Chainlink existed then but we were glad to meet the crew and appreciated the support.  That day was a success for us and great story.  (If any of you reading this were there... THANK YOU a million times... side note: it was the same day the Chicago Tribune was there writing a story about stolen bikes)

Sadly, last night (July 24) we had both of our bikes stolen from downtown.  We used kyptonite U locks and a cable so we know they had to of had a saw/serious tool.  We went to the swap today and didn't see either bike or any signs that they might have been there.  Meaning we didn't see the HUGE pile of hot bikes that we saw in 2010.  We were thinking these guys are taking the bikes somewhere else now but we will be going back again this Saturday to be certain.

If anyone is interested in joining or knows of anyone searching for their bike please let us know.  We are happy to look for others if you can't make it or be a supportive group for anyone thinking of going down.  Opens at 7AM.

We have a police report and registered both bikes here...

http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192709

http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192707

Thanks so much.

Michelle and Matt

If you've heard of a new place were stolen bikes go please let us know.  Thank you. 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 25, 2012 at 11:41am

I got an email from a guy named George... THANKS... saying he saw our bikes at the swap.  The trek was walking away and the Surly was still there.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 25, 2012 at 11:51am

I can go from 7-8:30 am or after 2 on Saturday.  
Michelle Marie Turnis said:

I got an email from a guy named George... THANKS... saying he saw our bikes at the swap.  The trek was walking away and the Surly was still there.

Permalink Reply by Sean Struble on June 25, 2012 at 1:37pm

I just got my Silver Surly Pacer stolen on Saturday night, It broke my heart. Please keep your eye out for it and I will be going tomorrow morning.  Congratulations on finding them!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 25, 2012 at 2:53pm

We don't have them back...  The trek has been sold and mine was likely sold between the time George saw them and when we were there.  We will look for yours when we go on Saturday.  Is it listed on Chicago.stolenbike.org?

Sean Struble said:

I just got my Silver Surly Pacer stolen on Saturday night, It broke my heart. Please keep your eye out for it and I will be going tomorrow morning.  Congratulations on finding them!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 25, 2012 at 2:55pm

We plan on going first thing. 7am.  Are looking for something too?

Julie Hochstadter said:

I can go from 7-8:30 am or after 2 on Saturday.  
Michelle Marie Turnis said:

I got an email from a guy named George... THANKS... saying he saw our bikes at the swap.  The trek was walking away and the Surly was still there.

Permalink Reply by Sean Struble on June 25, 2012 at 3:18pm

I'm still looking for my Pacer, I have a link to the registry and craigslist posting at the bottom.  I'm going to try and go tomorrow morning as well but It is pretty far away from me.  If you could look for it and give me a call if you see it I would thoroughly appreciate it.  I'm sorry you didn't get your bikes back.  I'll keep an eye out for yours as well.  I got lucky once on craigslist and found at least most of my bike 7 months later so it can happen.

I appreciate it, Godspeed!

Thanks,

Sean

9524268002

http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192724

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3099349621.html



Michelle Marie Turnis said:

We don't have them back...  The trek has been sold and mine was likely sold between the time George saw them and when we were there.  We will look for yours when we go on Saturday.  Is it listed on Chicago.stolenbike.org?

Sean Struble said:

I just got my Silver Surly Pacer stolen on Saturday night, It broke my heart. Please keep your eye out for it and I will be going tomorrow morning.  Congratulations on finding them!

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 26, 2012 at 12:47am
Hey guys - if someone says they saw your bike and they can buy it back for you don't do it. Who knows where that money actually ends up (could be to the original theif or even the sumaritan who says they saw your bike at the swap),

There is a sticky thread about it. Read that.
Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 26, 2012 at 12:57am

Thanks for tip.  This guy was there looking for bikes too.  He's not offering anything other than condolences and a peace of mind to let us know that he saw them and one bike is long gone (he saw it get sold) and that the other one might still be recoverable if it shows up again at the swap.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 26, 2012 at 1:01am

Hey Sean - Just wanted to let you know we are going Saturday morning.  I don't know if anyone will be there tonight.  If we see it we will let you know.  I remember this being a very time sensitive situation if it's there. I'll get your info from the Stolen Bike registry and contact you immediately.  

Sean Struble said:

Since the picture was taken I flipped the bar stem, Got 105 clipless SPD pedals, and a specialized road saddle.  Please look for it tomorrow.

Thanks again

Sean Struble said:

I'm still looking for my Pacer, I have a link to the registry and craigslist posting at the bottom.  I'm going to try and go tomorrow morning as well but It is pretty far away from me.  If you could look for it and give me a call if you see it I would thoroughly appreciate it.  I'm sorry you didn't get your bikes back.  I'll keep an eye out for yours as well.  I got lucky once on craigslist and found at least most of my bike 7 months later so it can happen.

I appreciate it, Godspeed!

Thanks,

Sean

9524268002

http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192724

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3099349621.html



Michelle Marie Turnis said:

We don't have them back...  The trek has been sold and mine was likely sold between the time George saw them and when we were there.  We will look for yours when we go on Saturday.  Is it listed on Chicago.stolenbike.org?

Sean Struble said:

I just got my Silver Surly Pacer stolen on Saturday night, It broke my heart. Please keep your eye out for it and I will be going tomorrow morning.  Congratulations on finding them!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Marie Turnis on June 26, 2012 at 1:08am
This is the email chain from Monday confirming our bikes at the Swap-o-Rama...
 
Matt and Michelle,
First off, just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your bikes. My net at home was down, so I wasn't able to check the registry until I got to work today. I just wanted to let you know that I spotted your bikes at the Swap-o-rama at 42nd and Ashland yesterday, unfortunately someone was walking away with the Trek as I was approaching the seller. The seller is a heavier set african american male and he is typically located towards the back where there is construction (tear down of a buliding). I know the outside vendors are there on I beleive Thursday and definitely Saturday and Sunday. Let me know if you have any questions, I'm not sure if there's any additional information I can provide to you guys. I wish you luck on the recovery of the Surly.
 

Thanks so much.  It's nice to know where they went.  What time were you there?  We got there around 1 or 2... I think.  Was it the yellow van with the bikes on the top?  
 
I was there around 8:00 AM, but it wasn't the vendor with the yellow van. He's another shady vendor, that was buying a couple of bikes when I walked past him. The person that had your bike had it out in the open, it was leaning against a table. He was actually about 10 feet away from that crumbling building. He also had a bmx bike and I believe a diamondback.
Thanks 
You've at least given me some peace of mind.  I'm going to try Saturday morning in hopes of finding mine but I think it's likely gone.  However I am hoping that maybe someone who know the value of the bike bought it to try to resell and maybe I can catch them somewhere else.
 
Permalink Reply by Sean Struble on June 26, 2012 at 2:47am

I don't plan on paying for my own bikeI have all the neccisary pictures and documentation to prove it is mine. I appreciate it.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Hey guys - if someone says they saw your bike and they can buy it back for you don't do it. Who knows where that money actually ends up (could be to the original theif or even the sumaritan who says they saw your bike at the swap),

There is a sticky thread about it. Read that.
Permalink Reply by Sean Struble on June 27, 2012 at 11:51am
I have a police report, pictures, and proof of purchase of the frame and components online. I lost the paper that I kept all my serial numbers on but Im hoping that it's enough. Did you see a silver Surly Pacer last time you where there?

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