Specialized Rockhopper

, 30th November 2017 £50
  • Colour

    Red

  • Frame Number

    Hidden

  • Stolen From

    ,

  • Stolen When

    30th November 2017

  • Crime Reference Number

    0526606/17

  • Reward

    £50

Bike Description

The bike is a 2007 model so quite old. It has many bespoke parts on it designed to suit my height/size (6'4" tall), these include black rigid forks with the steerer at full length (longer than the recommended maximum length) a black thompson stem which is quite long (around 7 inches - don't know exact length), slightly wider bars than stock which are gun-metal colour and brake/gear shifter levers in a single unit.

Theft Description

Stolen from a locked garage and with a chain and lock on it. It was stolen with a Sirrus bike but this is more important to get back as it is customised where the sirrus was stock and impossible to identify apart from the frame number (it is recorded as stolen on other sites). By the way I spotted the bike on gumtree and followed this up attempting to meet with the seller, this was with local police assistance, but the seller did not turn up (probably suspicious - especially as I would not give him my phone number), I got his address and a phone number but the police are unable to do anything as they say this is insufficient to generate a warrant, without which they cannot enter his home (which by the way is in Bulstrode Road Hounslow.

Recovery Description

I saw my bike advertised on gumtree and went to the police to buy it to try trapping the seller. The seller became suspicious and did not turn up. The bike was of sentimental value to me and I wanted it I was upset I could not get it. 2 weeks later the bike was again advertised on gumtree, however it had been disguised. The pump was removed as was the drinks holder, brackets on handlebars and mudguards. I still wanted it back, so asked my brother to buy it for me, without involving the police. He did, but it was dark when bought. On looking at the bike in the daylight they had used a grinder to remove the serial number and bike registration acid security number, then the bike was distressed all over (with the grinder) and then select parts were painted over. The mudguards were just ripped off. I have updated the report to the police and the insurance company are aware of its recovery, due to the current state they are happy for me to keep it and the insurance payment. Not ideal, as I would have liked the bike back in its original condition, but I have it and it might just be restoreable. Advice to others if they see their bike on gumtree. If you want it back, and the price is right just pay it. Try to get to a place with cameras but don't risk losing the bike. Otherwise just don't look for it and buy a new bike with the insurance money. For me I had a bike that fitted me perfectly (I am 6ft 4 tall), it took a lot of time and tweaking to get the right parts I wanted it and now have it. These thieves are not stupid, it is their job and a lot of them are good at it. I know this is awful that they got away with it and will continue to steal bikes, but the police have far more serious matters to spend their time on, in my case they did as best they could. The bike was locked by padlock and chain and inside a locked garage when it was stolen, I have since bought a stronger lock and added an alarm to the garage and will instal a security light soon. I don't know what else I can do, but hope it is now too awkward to steal again.