What to do when spotting a suspected stolen bike?

[breaker]

So driving home yesterday, traffic at a standstill and cursing the commuters sailing by , I recalled all the topics in this forum and wondered, what would happen if I recognised a perceivably stolen bike.

Now I know the chances are slim of spotting one, but thats what this thread is for. I recall one person posting unique markings like tape on the wheels or something like that making it relatively easy to spot.

My question is what do you do at that moment?

I probably won't confront the person riding, but at that specific point in time, getting onto the hub and posting will probably take too long to get a response if any from the original owner.

So other than the op leaving their cell number on the forum, which obviously isn't a good idea, how do we go about the situation?

[Rata Del Spruit]

So driving home yesterday, traffic at a standstill and cursing the commuters sailing by , I recalled all the topics in this forum and wondered, what would happen if I recognised a perceivably stolen bike.

Now I know the chances are slim of spotting one, but thats what this thread is for. I recall one person posting unique markings like tape on the wheels or something like that making it relatively easy to spot.

My question is what do you do at that moment?

I probably won't confront the person riding, but at that specific point in time, getting onto the hub and posting will probably take too long to get a response if any from the original owner.

So other than the op leaving their cell number on the forum, which obviously isn't a good idea, how do we go about the situation?

 

I'd say a photograph and a hub post when you get home. If the guy is a commuter, very good chance he'll be in the same place same time the next day. Just be prepared to be lambasted with comments about photographing from a car. Hubbers only tolerate car photos if they were taken from a mounted GoPro, while stationery and you were wearing a helmet.

[Pure Savage]

I just call out the window, "Is that yours?" - In a Chuck Norris Kinda voice. If I get complete verbal abuse and a thread on the hub about me, I know that it was the dudes bike. If the person on the bike looks confused, starts sprouting nonsense, then I have a good idea he is a little dodge and requires a little more investigation. (Photos, etc)

 

Also depends where I am, who is with me in the car and how nice the bike is.

[mikethebike234]

Yes like the gardener sort chap riding a very nice DH bike along main rd by lakeside ...he was struggling a bit in the wind with that DH type gearing....

[Pants Boy]

Nothing a good chain whipping wouldn't sort out. You can always rapella later.

[fabes]

I would call chucky

[Kranswurm]

There have been a number of vigilante hero's on here over the years who have intervened only to find out later they were wrong

[Cav']

Nothing a good chain whipping wouldn't sort out. You can always rapella later.

Saw a very suspicious looking guy with a goaty on a green bike this morning in colbyn, surely a stolen bike..

[Guest Omega Man]

Yes like the gardener sort chap riding a very nice DH bike along main rd by lakeside ...he was struggling a bit in the wind with that DH type gearing....

 

When did you see that? My friend's makulu was stolen from Capri on Saturday.

[Trillian]

So driving home yesterday, traffic at a standstill and cursing the commuters sailing by , I recalled all the topics in this forum and wondered, what would happen if I recognised a perceivably stolen bike.

Now I know the chances are slim of spotting one, but thats what this thread is for. I recall one person posting unique markings like tape on the wheels or something like that making it relatively easy to spot.

My question is what do you do at that moment?

I probably won't confront the person riding, but at that specific point in time, getting onto the hub and posting will probably take too long to get a response if any from the original owner.

So other than the op leaving their cell number on the forum, which obviously isn't a good idea, how do we go about the situation?

 

Calvin and Hobbes have this one covered:

http://meetville.com/images/quotes/Quotation-Bill-Watterson-humor-Meetville-Quotes-34838.jpg

[Pants Boy]

Saw a very suspicious looking guy with a goaty on a green bike this morning in colbyn, surely a stolen bike..

Ha ha anyone stupid enough to steal that bike deserves it

[marxie]

mmm, this give me an idea for a phone app. snap a pic, hit upload. the upload can contain location data, date & time, and if the spotter is so inclined, a description.

i'll see if there's something like it already and post the info here. i might have time to do a basic app in the next month or so if there aren't any existing ones.

anyone know of any legalities around taking pics of random strangers?

[Bloukrans]

I've done it once a while ago - rolled down my window, said in my typical Cape Town style "ek se, my ma se kind, daais 'n lekka bike - wag daar, ek willit check". He said 'kykie, dis my bra s'n. Told him to wait - hy verdwyn daar by Gympie / Sussex in Main Road. Have not seen him since. Do not confront these okes - they have nothing to lose other than a stolen bike!

[Cellar]

mmm, this give me an idea for a phone app. snap a pic, hit upload. the upload can contain location data, date & time, and if the spotter is so inclined, a description.

i'll see if there's something like it already and post the info here. i might have time to do a basic app in the next month or so if there aren't any existing ones.

anyone know of any legalities around taking pics of random strangers?

 

There is this:

Soon your face could be your calling card. An upcoming app for Android, iOS and Google Glass called NameTag will allow you to photograph strangers and find out who they are — complete with social networking and online dating profiles.

- check http://www.nametag.ws/

 

Now I get that a lot of bike theives may not have social networking profiles, but the sh1tstorm around privacy issues this has started would suggest that you speak to a privacy lawyer in SA before designing an app of the sort you mention.

[Cassie]

There have been a number of vigilante hero's on here over the years who have intervened only to find out later they were wrong

 

and yet, bikes get stolen on a daily basis...where do they go??

[Cellar]

and yet, bikes get stolen on a daily basis...where do they go??

 

I read here that they went to Pmb.