Craigslist "ads" about stolen bikes

[donnambr]

Have any of you heard about this? When people post these kinds of announcements, I never know what to think. Is this really a nest of stolen bikes or is the poster engaging in some sort of political struggle with their neighbors? I'm apprehensive because - in writing at least - some of these guys match general descriptions of our bicycling homeless, many of whom would not be involved in bike theft. Yet the ads definitely arrest my attention. Every time I see a notice about a stolen bike, I get sick to my stomach.

Do any of you encounter situations where you just know those bikes you're seeing are stolen? What do you do - call the police? Has it resulted in busting up some kind of theft-related operation or has zilch changed? What other options are there? It warmed my heart to read about the Zoobomber bike recovery committee, but it's not always possible to take that kind of risk.

Thoughts, opinions, ideas, discussion, rants, anyone?