Offerup and Stolen Bike

[Microman]

Friend at church had bike stolen from in front of her apt. She then discovered that I had sold on OFFERUP in her area within the 24 hour period.

I joined offer and told offered about the item that was sold, was stolen.

I guess one could offer to buy some of the other items, and meet the person, but that would not get the bike back, and could be dangerous

Friend is really having trouble even calling Long Beach Police Dept and making a repot

What to do.....

https://offerup.com/p/68556000/

[Carnos Jax]

Unfortunately nothing she can do that won’t put her in danger. Police will do nothing (other than take a report) if under $1000 (or maybe that’s $500). Thieves can make a business model on this.

[cbelt3]

Hopefully she has the purchase record with the serial number. A Police report at a minimum is required for an insurance claim.

She can report the theft online
http://longbeach.gov/police/crime-info/c...ng-system/
She can add a text link to the offerup sale if she believes that is her bike

Will that help her ? Probably not. Yeah, she can do a Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew thing with you, but like you said, the risk / reward isn't there. Be safe. It's just a bike.

She can also crowdsource the recovery if she wants to go there. Lots of internet vigilantes out there love to get involved in stuff like this. Again, that's risky.

[jdc]

I effing hate bike thieves. its not like they are gonna use it. They are just gonna sell it. always.

Moved into a storage unit and put my prized Specialized Allez in it -- late 80s, all steel, lugged. 2 flats, no seat, no pedals. Someone broke in (im sure it was an inside job) and took it.

I know its just a bike... but an irreplaceable bike. Rode 10,000s of thousands of miles on it. Many centurys, a few double centurys, around Lake Tahoe many times. Death Ride. So sweet.

Dammit... now gonna spend 15 minutes on CL/ebay looking for one.

[Buzz]

My BIL had his bike stolen in that area a couple of years ago... he literally ended up buying it back from the thieves later that day.

In my ideal world, I'd file a police report to get the theft on record. Then pursue the OfferUp and/or other similar leads/services to track it down. If I scored, I'd arrange a meet-up, and bring some large, weaponized friends, to initially be kept at a distance (except for one (that supposedly dropped me off, so I could ride the bike home). I'd record the transaction (have friend use cellphone video), then pull out my 9mm, or similar weapon. The thieves would then be instructed to lay on the ground where they would be patted down for weapons, my funds would be returned, and then they would be stripped naked. They'd then be zip-tied (still naked, and still being recorded) to street sign/utility poles, as available. Pre-made signs would be posted on their poles that read;

"I stole a bicycle that I shouldn't have stolen, and all I got for it is a naked date with this pole."   and...

"I'm wrapped up neatly to confess to bicycle theft. Since the [local] police were ineffective at catching me, I've decided to turn myself in."

The local and national media outlets would of course be gifted with photos and videos, and all pertinent pics and vids would be posted online (with another sign providing the link). The [local] LEO's would be called. I'd leave but other associates would stay and keep filming the LEO's "capture" of the thieves.

It'd be epic, if only the world were so ideal.
==

[space-time]

nice.

and they would come back and haunt you.

[hal]

space-time wrote:
nice.

and they would come back and haunt you.

or their friends in hiding open fire first - leave the guns at home.