A couple of days back I was on my way home and saw these 2 guys struggling with a motorcycle in the back of a minivan. I've seen bikes get stolen this way so I was curious if this was a stolen bike. I was going in the opposite direction in my car and I pulled over to watch. This area is a warehouse manufacturing area so you don't see too many bikes or people in general. It's near the Brooklyn Navy Yard in NYC.
As I watched these guys I noticed the bike was fairly new (07-09), was a gixxer (most stolen bike), had no plates, the van had plates from Delaware, I didn't see a helmet in the van, and one of the guys kept looking down the road after every adjustment to the bike. They also parked between 2 large trucks so they were out of plain sight. I decided to watch some more, and then they finished up securing the bike and started to pull away.
I pulled a u-turn, followed them and called 911. I told them I think these guys in a minivan might have a stolen bike in the back and explained the situation. I gave them all the details I had, then I got off the phone and u turned to go home. About 3 blocks on my way 2 cop cars fly through an intersection with their lights blazing in the direction I said the van was headed.
Then about 30 minutes into my drive home I get a call from 911.
"Hello sir did you report a stolen bike?"
"Yes I reported that I think these guys might have a stolen bike."
"is it your motorcycle sir?"
"no, it just seemed like they stole it. Did you get them? Was it a Stolen bike?"
"the officers are with the vehicle now sir, thank you for you cooperation with the NYPD"
[click]
I still don't know if it was stolen or I just got some guys moving their bike hassled. I think an inconvenient stop is cheaper than a lost bike though.
bravo!
Nice job. [clap]
Would have done the same.
[thumbsup]
perfect.
[thumbsup]
You did the right thing.
Hell yeah. I would have done the same. Way to go. [clap]
If this bike was truly being stolen then you most likely saved more than one.
Good job! [thumbsup]
If it seemed like a fishy situation to to you, it probably was. Most people don't bother to get involved, or convince themselves that nothing wrong was going on. Good on you for taking the time to scope out the situation and calling 911. [thumbsup] [clap]
I bet that there's some Gixxer owner that's telling all his buddies about how close he came to having his bike stolen.
Maybe there's a beer in it for you. ;D [drink]
using my internet muscles i owuld have
walked over to them and asked if the bike was theirs, demanded to see paperwork proving it, then made then leave the bike right where it was until something could be proven.
if they refused i would have moved thebike with one hand and then locked the in their van with the other.
i'd have roundhoused that van into the next state
;D
or, y'know... called the cops, too. good on ya, man [beer]
Good lookin out Pakhan [thumbsup]
What's the worst that would have happened? They pull the guy over, he proves he's the registered owner. No harm, no foul. I think you did the right thing. The only thing I would have done differently is call a bit earlier...
Even if it was legitimate and you were in their situation, wouldn't you be kind of glad you got stopped being you are a motorcycle owner? Even if you're moving you're own bike, its a win win.
Bravo!
[thumbsup]
Good job. I might have done the same thing, hard to tell until you are in the same situation.
We called in a drunk driver last Saturday evening - the only regret is not doing it a mile sooner. 20 seconds after we called 911 he pulled off into an apartment building, and he was clearly hammered. 20 seconds after that we saw a police car. I doubt there was much they could do if he was parked with the keys out?
mitt
Way to keep your eyes open and do something about it!! [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
I did the same thing in Seattle last year. 2:00am I was in the garage working on the bike and the neighbors bike went rolling by without any power. As as it hit the road, the thief cracked the throttle! It looked odd since I met the owner once and the figure on the bike looked a lot bigger. The guy was wearing a helmet so I wasn't sure who it was? Then a truck slowly rolled by. It looked like it was going to stop in front of my garage and then my English Mastiff stood up and went towards them. I think he scared them off. I didn't like the looks of what happened so I called the cops. The next day, someone from the local NW Ducati club said they saw the bike downtown Kirkland. Don't think the cops got them but a few months later, I heard from apt management that it was stolen and the owner did get it back. :)
A few days before I left Seattle, the other neighbor had his brand new CBR 1K stolen about 5am. I told him the day before NOT to park it in the lot since another was stolen. He didn't take my advice..evn though he DID have a garage. [roll]
Way to go Pahkan.
I too did something .
I witnessed a hit and run and called in the license of the runner.
Called the Highway Patrol later that day and found out they had located the runner.
Dolph :)
Quote from: teddy037.2 on July 23, 2009, 10:33:05 AM
i'd have roundhoused that van into the next state
How much would it cost for your roundhouse my exgf into hte next state?
[thumbsup] Good on you!!! [thumbsup] [clap]
Quote from: He Man on July 23, 2009, 04:33:51 PM
How much would it cost for your roundhouse my exgf into hte next state?
[drink] [drink]
;D
You did the right thing. BUT.....
I have been the guy in the van and had someone call on me. In my case it was a disassembled duc in an outback. A coworker called 911. I had not registered the bike yet, but I did have the signed title. The cops in D.C. love to take things from people under a crap law that allows them to take any personal property under the suspicion of being stolen. If anything of value is not registered with the police they can take it and force you to prove that it is yours. I have had this happen with a bicycle. I had to run from the cops on the bicycle. The cop accepted the signed title for the duc.
The world is a better place b/c of people like you. Too many are passive. I probably would have done the same as you. How do you talk on the cell while riding? Bluetooth in the helmet?
Eh, just glad it wasn't my bike. I had been trying to get that thing stolen for months.
Quote from: MrIncredible on July 23, 2009, 10:02:54 PM
Eh, just glad it wasn't my bike. I had been trying to get that thing stolen for months.
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [bow_down]
Well done my man, here's to you [drink] [drink]
nice detective skills ya got there pak [thumbsup] [clap]