Bicycle thieves target Villieria
Police give tips to cyclist to help safeguard bicycles after a spate of bicycle thefts from homes in Villieria.
Corlia Kruger
A spate of bicycle thefts has been reported in the Villieria area in the past few months.
According to police, 16 bicycles have been reported stolen during house-breakings and 23 from outside the house between April and October this year.
“Most bicycle thefts are crimes of opportunity in which a thief spots an unattended and unsecured bicycle,” stated a police report by Captain Koba Brits.
“While some bikes are stolen for resale, others are used for transportation. It also seems as if the bicycles, which were reported stolen, were also in the more expensive range.”
Brits provided the following tips to safeguard your bicycle:
• Owners must ensure that no bicycle is visible from the street, rather lock bicycles away in the garage;
• Also ensure that bicycles are properly secured and ensure a high quality lock and chain locks the bike-stand, wheel rim and frame together;
• Owners must not leave their bicycles lying around in the yard;
The following information is very important when reporting a theft of bicycle:
• The owners must ensure that they have the bicycle serial number, if it has one. This will increase the chance of recovery.
• The owner must know the make and color of the bicycle.
Secondhand shop owners are also requested to immediately contact the nearest police station if a person wants to sell a bicycle under suspicious circumstances. Secondhand shop owners must make sure that the seller is the owner.
The Secondhand Goods Act states that the shop owner can be held liable if stolen items are found in their shop.
SAPS Villieria recently recovered an almost brand new bicycle and anyone who suspects this might be theirs, should approach the police.
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