It’s been clear to us around here for many years that when it comes to recovering stolen bikes, it’s not just technology and the long arm of the law that’s going to solve the problem; it’s good, old-fashioned community. As I shared last month, people helping people has been a mainstay of the many stolen … Read more
Bryan Hance has helped the PPB get better at catching bike thieves.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) Southeast Portland resident Bryan Hance has received a “Distinguished Service Medal” from the Portland Police Bureau. Hance is the man behind StolenBicycleRegsitry.com. Back in 2009 he stepped in to resurrect the Stolen Bike Listings on BikePortland and shortly thereafter we … Read more
Portlander Jake Gillum poses triumphantly after his successful police sting in Seattle.(Photo: Jake Gillum) It’s been a good few days for bike lovers and a bad few days for bike thieves. In the past week I’ve come across three local bike recovery stories that deserve your attention. Each one of them shows the power of … Read more
The stolen bikes.(Photo: Vancouver PD) Yesterday afternoon, Vancouver Police responded to a burglary and theft call at the Hough Pool/Recreation Center and discovered 29 bicycles had been stolen. The bikes were used by the non-profit Bike Clark County to teach kids bike safety and were being stored in the rec center prior to the theft. … Read more
Officers look for a serial number before loading a stolen bike into a truck in Old Town this morning.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Portland Police Bureau served a search warrant early this morning in Old Town and among the confiscated property was 18 stolen bicycles. The bust happened at 211 NW 3rd Avenue. I was … Read more
Reader Matt G. emailed us a few days ago to share an interesting experience. Matt got his bike stolen back in January and, like a smart and responsible Portlander, he immediately reported it to the police and listed it on our Stolen Bike Listings. A few months passed, then he got an email from what … Read more
PPB making the arrest this morning.(Photo: Michael Kloeppel) Earlier this month we brought you news of a bike theft from Seven Corners Cycles in southeast Portland. A thief had made off with a Surly Long Haul trucker by removing the window pane near the front door, lifting the window out, and then riding away on … Read more
The thief (thieves) made out with a Surly LHT. Southeast Portland bike shop Seven Corners Cycles was broken into this morning. The thieves (or thief) made out with one new bike (a large, black Surly Long Haul Trucker), seven Chrome messenger bags, and some lights and locks. According to shop owner Corey Cartwright, they entered … Read more
Kris Akins(Photos courtesy Kris Akins) A few years ago, I called a GPS bike tracker the “Holy Grail” of bike theft. If someone could just develop a discreet, affordable GPS device that would allow someone to track their bike after it was stolen, I thought, we would have a potent weapon against the scourge of … Read more
“I was totally shocked and amazed that they were willing to do this, and had the heart to help a complete stranger out.”— Camille Hook When 30 year old Concordia neighborhood resident Camille Hook got her high-end, custom wheels stolen off her bike earlier this month, she didn’t think she’d ever get them back. She … Read more
West End Bikes on SW Stark and 11th is one of several shopsthat has been broken into this past week.(Photo © J. Maus) A thief who has (nearly) mastered the ability to remove large windows without breaking them has hit several bike shops and other businesses in the past week. A total of six businesses … Read more
Hey! Don’t get any wise ideas(Photo © J. Maus) Once again bike theft seems to be on the uptick in the Portland region. In August we had a record 109 stolen bike listings and we’re on pace for a big increase in September (52 listed already). This morning I learned of two thefts over the … Read more