(Photo B Smith/PAZ)
We frequently received emails and phone calls from people who find bikes they suspect to be stolen. Usually they’re abandoned on a rack or strewn in a ditch or trash pile. And usually they’re relatively low-dollar bikes.
But yesterday, a southeast Portland man found a high-end mountain bike stashed in the bushes near SE Division Street and now he’s trying to find its owner. The person who found the bike brought it to Brian Smith, who runs the Portland Autonomous Zone DIY workspace at SE 16th and Woodward. Smith has found and recovered several stolen bikes over the years and says it’s common for thieves in his neighborhood to stash bikes while they continue to hit other targets.
I know all about how bikes get stashed. When mine got stolen in November, I found it stashed under I-5. It was just sitting there, unlocked, with no one around.
Smith is sure the bike was stolen. He’s posted this photo to Facebook and on Craigslist hoping to find the owner.
Let’s try and get this bike back to its owner. Message Smith via Facebook or email him through Craigslist if you know anything about this bike.
UPDATE, 2/5, 4:30pm: Brian Smith said he has been contacted by the bike’s owner and he’s “super stoked”! Thanks for spreading the word everyone.