Thursday, April 15th, 2010 9:00 am
Condition of Bicycle / Distinguishing Features:
Bike had 2 years of heavy use. Was dirty. Best distinguishing feature was a trek black wire mesh "Interchange" basket that mounted on the rear rack (the size and look of a handheld grocery basket. See: http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1454&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C15%2C411%2C477&iProductID=1454.
• Bicycle Type: Hybrid Bike
• Serial No.: utu20c0279a
• Color: Black/Silver
• Police Report No.: Berwyn Police Report#: 10-04682
• Size: 25"
• How was the lock defeated?: Lock was cut, and left at the scene.
• Owner Name: Matt Lisle
• Contact Email: matt.lisle
at
sbcglobal.net
• Contact Phone Number: (708) 447-7488
• Lock Type: Cable w/ Padlock
• What was the bike locked to?: Locked to bike rack.
• How long was the bike locked in this location?: Left at 8 a.m. and fund stolen at 5 p.m. same day
• How was the bike locked?: Locked through both wheels and frame to object.
• Which type of area was your bike stolen from?: Other situation, please describe below.
Incident Description:
I left bike at Metra train station (Harlem Avenue station) in Berwyn at 8 a.m. on Thursday April 15th. When I returned around 5 p.m. the bike was gone. I had a kryptonite U-lock with a large cable. My mistake was to just use the cable to lock both wheels and frame. In other words, even though I used a u-lock, I only attached the u part to the bike rack which was attached to the cable that was wrapped around the frame and both wheels. All the thieves had to do was clip the cable and my bike was gone. One issue is that the bike rack is one of those wavy black metal ones with the thick pipes, making it very difficult to get my u lock looped around and attached to the frame. Also, note that my bike, while only 2 years old, was not the fanciest bike out there and had alot of dirt on it. At the time, I couldn't imagine it would have any value to a thief to risk going to jail for it. How wrong I was and sorry I am for making that assumption. This is the second bike i've had ripped in 3 years and will never ride anything to train but the dumpiest rustiest bucket i can find. woo hoo, the thieving swine win again.
Location(s)
Harlem Metra Station Berwyn, IL
Stanley & Harlem
Chicago, IL