Boardman Bikes Hybrid Comp Womens

, 8pm 02/03/20 to 8am 03/03/20
  • Colour

    White and light blue

  • Frame Number

    Hidden

  • Stolen From

    ,

  • Stolen When

    8pm 02/03/20 to 8am 03/03/20

Bike Description

Boardman Hybrid Comp Womens 2016 bicycle

Purchased for Cycle Republic in July 2017

Frame number: AA70214115

White frame and forks with light blue stripes on frame, saddle and wheel rims

Black aluminium rear pannier rack

Continental Cyclo-X King Cyclocross Tyres

Holder for an ABUS Granit X-Plus D lock is fitted to the left-hand side of the frame (removable)

Light scraping on left handle bar and break lever due to previous fall

Scratches to the vertical frame bar due to the D-lock

Bike was secured with an ABUS Granit C-Plus D lock and ABUS Cobra loop cable.

Theft Description

The bike was locked in a dedicated bicycle storage unit belonging to a large block of flats in Cheswick Village. The entrance to the bike store is a 4 digit code with no other access. The store says 'This area is monitored by CCTV'.

Recovery Description

I discovered my bike listed on Gumtree (pannier racks and all other accessories had been removed and it was spotlessly cleaned). I informed the police of the ad and they added it to the file. I made the decision though to go and retrieve the bike myself, as I knew that the bike would disappear again quicker than they have the resources to investigate it. I arranged a viewing with the seller, informed the Police on 101 what I was doing and gave and exact address. They supported me doing this, as long as I felt safe to do so. They said that I should call 101 while there or to call 999 if it escalated at all. Three friends came with me, and the person showed me the bike and said I could give it a test ride. I took it out onto the street outside the house so that the interaction was viewable to the neighbours etc. Instead of test riding, I quickly upturned the bike to check the frame number, asked the seller to come over to me to talk. I told him this is my bike and was stolen and that I'm going to be taking it back. He was very cooperative, saying that he had bought the bike earlier in the week for £65 from Bristol. He seemed genuine (although he must have known it was a stolen bike..) - he bought it for cheap off a young man in a hoody who wouldn't give an exact address, arrived on the bike and walked away after. He was however happy for me to take the bike away for free. The Police were again informed and are now looking into tracing the original seller. Fingers crossed they are able to trace it back and find the toerag. Overall, a wonderful (yet totally unbelievable) outcome for me!