Stolen Cannondale Synapse

, Approx 12.50 pm Friday 26th August 2016 £50 if in good condition (nearly new)
  • Colour

    Orange

  • Frame Number

    XM59666

  • Stolen From

    ,

  • Stolen When

    Approx 12.50 pm Friday 26th August 2016

  • Crime Reference Number

    5216190138

  • Reward

    £50 if in good condition (nearly new)

Bike Description

Cannondale Synapse road bike, orange, with disc brakes back and front, lights back and front and chrome metal toe clips on standard pedals (not SPD type).  It has a black wire water bottle holder fixed to the frame. Purchased April 2016.

Theft Description

I exited my house (1 Grosvenor Place, Bath, BA1 6AX) at 12.45pm on 26th August because I had to collect my car which was undergoing MOT at the garage across the road in Larkhall (3 to 4 mins walk from my house) and they shut for lunch at 1pm.  As I came out of my front door I saw a man leave the paved area immediately in front my front door.  He was carrying a large bag on his shoulder, very similar to that carried by a paper boy or someone delivering leaflets from door to door.  He immediately turned away from me on the pavement and began peering intently (squinting) into a piece of paper so I could not see his face. The only description I can give was that he was probably about 5ft 10 ins to 6ft tall, quite slim, wearing dark jeans and a tee shirt and he had greasy-looking thin grey hair.  But he was carrying this distinctive bag.  My bike was still locked to the railings at 12.45 when I left the house - I remember seeing it out of the corner of my eye.
At the time I assumed the man was delivering leaflets and thought no more of it.  I was intent on getting to the garage to collect my car before it shut (I was planning to put my bike in the back of my car as I was due to take it to Bristol to Evans Cycles where it was booked in for a service).  However thinking back, there was no leaflet on my doormat either as I exited then or when I returned to the house about 15 minutes after collecting my car.
I believe the bike was stolen in this 15 minute window from 12.45 to 13.00 yesterday 26th August.  I think the behaviour of the man with the bag was suspicious.  I am not saying he was definitely involved but am wondering if his behaviour is part of a system employed by 1 or more people who have a system to steal bikes throughout Bath and perhaps other towns/cities.