What would you have done?

[Pakhan]

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.

[herm]

bravo!

[DesmoDiva]

Nice job.   

Would have done the same. 

[Grampa]

 

perfect.

[cyrus buelton]

 

You did the right thing.

[Porsche Monkey]

Hell yeah. I would have done the same. Way to go. 

If this bike was truly being stolen then you most likely saved more than one.

[Triple J]

Good job! 

[krolik]

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.     

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. 

[KnightofNi]

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.

[teddy037.2]

i'd have roundhoused that van into the next state




or, y'know... called the cops, too. good on ya, man 

[il d00d]

Good lookin out Pakhan 

[NAKID]

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...

[Airborne]

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.

[trenner]

Bravo!

[Monsterlover]