Stolen: Giant Yukon MTB from Perth WA - RECOVERED!

[BandedRail]

My friends bike was stolen on Sunday (lock cut), here are the details:

Giant Yukon mountain bike; 24 inch (61 cm) frame; black and blue with thin white trim; semi-slick tyres; front shocks; disc-brakes; all Shimano parts; black Tioga rack on back.

Stolen from Gladstone Street, Perth (near Claisebrook Railway Station), Sunday afternoon 30 August 2009.

Most distinguishing feature is the size of it, at 61 cm it's (dare I say it) a giant of a bike. It has been reported to the police as stolen, serial number available on request. I'll post a pic tonight (as my photo account is off limits while at work ).

[Edit] Here's the pic, not great (and pre-rack) but the only one available:



Any info most appreciated.

Cheers

[another edit] Frame size was wrong, it's 61 cm, not 63 cm.

[JarrahJack]

This seems to match size, description and picture:

http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Stuff-for ... Z180257182

Might just be a coincidence though.

Jack

[Baalzamon]

Well that has a Tioga rack on it as well, very suspicious. BandedRail I hope you spot this and let your mate know.

[matth]

Well that has a Tioga rack on it as well, very suspicious. BandedRail I hope you spot this and let your mate know.

Umm... is it me or are those bolt cutters in the picture on Gumtree... surely not !!!

[HappyHumber]

Umm... is it me or are those bolt cutters in the picture on Gumtree... surely not !!!

long handled secateurs, perhaps?

[BandedRail]

Well spotted Jack! I just talked to my friend's wife - she's pretty sure that it's an exact match for the stolen bike but serial numbers will confirm it either way. I'll keep you informed as information comes to hand.

Cheers

[BandedRail]

Great news, the bike has been recovered! My friend posed as a potential buyer & took the bike for a test ride around the block, checking the serial number when he was around the corner & out of sight. Sure enough it was his bike so the police were called as soon as they left the house. The seller has just spent the morning "helping the police with thier enquiries" , not only in regards to this bike but also about the 5 other bikes & various items the police found when they searched the property.

So a huge THANK YOU to BNA & JarrahJack in particular

The bike looks like it had a hard life after it was stolen but as it was taken from a house it was covered by insurance and has recently been replaced. This means the now recovered bike becomes the property of the insurance company in a few months time (after the court case).

As for the bolt cutters in the photo...

Cheers

[Baalzamon]

EXCELLENT

Good to hear that was the bike and you got it recovered. I would have done the same thing, posed as buyer and checked serial # out of site and called cops.

[HappyHumber]

That''s awesome! Thanks for providing the update, Bandedrail.... it's nice to know postings in this sub-forum occasionally do turn up a success story.
I was curious to know how your friend was going to handle it.

[Mulger bill]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!
BR, you owe Jack a beer.

Now let's hope the police and judge put him inside for a looooong time. Bubba's gettin' lonely

Shaun

[madrapper]

Fantastic spot, thread and outcome

And spotting the bolt cutters in the pic - absolute gold

They'll be talking about this thread for years to come - great story.

[JarrahJack]

It's great to be of assistance. Hopefully this means one less thief on the streets.

The police should check out the sellers other ads on Gumtree.

I am pleased that there was no need for confrontation of the "seller" as it would be difficult and dangerous to show up there and start shouting "you stole my bike". Your mates seem to handle the situation well.

Jack

[blkmcs]

That is great news, well spotted JarrahJack

[BandedRail]

Further information that has just come to light, it turns out the seller was completely innocent! Guess where he bought the bike from? Yep, good old "you pinch it, we'll fence it for ya Cash Converters". The person who sold it to Cash Converters was dopey enough to use their real name & this is ther person the police arrested & charged (and also had the other 5 bikes & various items of interest). The culprit has more priors than there are weeks in the year so I suspect things will be grim for him (hear that splashing sound? That's my heart bleeding for him.... NOT!).

I've always wondered if pawnbrokers check to see if the goods they sell are stolen, now I know

My friend is sending some tasty beverages to the seller (poor bugger, not his fault) and he also asked me to pass some on to JarrahJack (pm me, I'll be able to deliver them when I get back from NZ).

Cheers

[Cinder]

Wow...

That is unbelievably lucky!

[casual_cyclist]

Good news your mate got his bike replaced and that the original bike was recovered. Bad news for the seller purchasing then trying to onsell stolen property

I guess it's a warning for all of us to make what inquiries we can when buying a bike (or any secondhand goods) that they are not stolen.

[xerubus]

Happy endings are always great... especially on a Friday... paves the way for a great weekend!

Not only is this forum friendly, it's also helpful.