2005 Specialized Crossroads Sport

Location

Location

Sulzer Library
4455 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago , IL
United States

Date of Theft

Saturday, October 31, 2009 - 10:00am

Basic Bike Info

Bicycle Type: 
Hybrid Bike
Size: 
a bike for someone with a 31-inch inseam
Color: 
Gray
Condition of Bicycle / Distinguishing Features: 
five-year old bike. Duct tape bands around main shaft of frame. Reflective tape on main frame and rear bike rack. On handlebars: brass bike bell, holder for light, holder for odometer.

Owner Information

Owner Name: 
Matt Maldre
Contact Email: 
Email hidden by Chicago Stolen Bike Registry. Contact the CSBR staff to email the owner.
Contact Phone Number: 
773-505-3830
Police Report No.: 
HR619280

Lock Information

How was the lock defeated?: 
Lock was cut, and left at the scene.
Lock Type: 
Combination Cable Lock
What was the bike locked to?: 
Locked to bike rack.
How was the bike locked?: 
Locked through front wheel and frame to object.

Incident Description

Which type of area was your bike stolen from?: 
Sidewalk in front of an open business.
How long was the bike locked in this location?: 
two hours from 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Incident Description: 
Was my thief in a halloween costume? Or perhaps a Halloween ghost? I locked my bike in front of Chicago's second largest library figuring it would be safe with the constant car traffic and people that always sit in front of the library chilling out. Across the street in Welles Park is a group of older gentlemen who play bocce ball every weekend. When I left the library and saw my bike missing, the couple people sitting outside said they didn't steal it. Then I saw my lock sitting on the ground. Cut. Either with a bolt cutter or a hacksaw. Also, this happened on Halloween. In this neighborhood, all the kids do their trick or treating on Lincoln Avenue, so there were even more people walking around. How can someone steal a bicycle with all these witnesses? My only guess is some sort of Halloween ghost. All in all this is shaping up to be like a game of Clue. -- We know the location. The LIBRARY. -- We know the weapon. The BOLTCUTTERS (or hacksaw). -- We do not know the CRIMINAL. Who could have seen this? The pedestrians. The trick or treaters. The auto drivers. The library loungers. The bocce ball players. This is a Halloween mystery that will haunt me for ages.