Was I out of line?

[Adamm0621]

I was coming home from a movie with the wife last night and I saw two guys with a truck and a trailer pull up to a motorcycle sitting by itself in a parking lot.  I have seen this bike in that lot for a few weeks now and I thought it belonged to someone working in the adjacent building.  I pulled over and asked the guys if the bike broke down?  They replied, "Something like that."  I got a weird vibe from the guys, so I asked if either of them had proof of ownership of the bike.

That's when they got really pissed off.  I didn't find it to be an unusual question.  I always have my registration and insurance for my bike in my wallet.  I told them that I had seen the bike sitting there for a while and I wanted to make sure it wasn't being stolen.  One guy then vehemently states that the bike is his and that I should go make the beast with two backs myself.  I got back in my car and called the cops on the drive home.  I don't know if anything came of the incident but both of these guys seemed really shady, and never produced any documentation.

If I was about to throw a parked bike onto a trailer or into the back of a truck and someone asked me for proof of ownership, I'd have absolutely no problem producing the paperwork.  I know too many people get their bikes stolen every year.  Am I off base here?

[lethe]

I was coming home from a movie with the wife last night and I saw two guys with a truck and a trailer pull up to a motorcycle sitting by itself in a parking lot.  I have seen this bike in that lot for a few weeks now and I thought it belonged to someone working in the adjacent building.  I pulled over and asked the guys if the bike broke down?  They replied, "Something like that."  I got a weird vibe from the guys, so I asked if either of them had proof of ownership of the bike.

That's when they got really pissed off.  I didn't find it to be an unusual question.  I always have my registration and insurance for my bike in my wallet.  I told them that I had seen the bike sitting there for a while and I wanted to make sure it wasn't being stolen.  One guy then vehemently states that the bike is his and that I should go make the beast with two backs myself.  I got back in my car and called the cops on the drive home.  I don't know if anything came of the incident but both of these guys seemed really shady, and never produced any documentation.

If I was about to throw a parked bike onto a trailer or into the back of a truck and someone asked me for proof of ownership, I'd have absolutely no problem producing the paperwork.  I know too many people get their bikes stolen every year.  Am I off base here?

Sounds like you had a valid concern and didn't say anything out of line. Actually were it my bike and I were picking it up I'd thank you for actually giving a shit. 

[mstevens]

Nothing out of line. At least on your part.

[Privateer]

you did the right thing. 

Altho I think I wouldn't have approached two possible thieves.  I would've called the cops and sat there in my car watching, writing down their plate number and taking pictures.

[Grampa]

 

Altho I think I wouldn't have approached two possible thieves.  I would've called the cops and sat there in my car watching, writing down their plate number and taking pictures.

yup

[hadesducati848]

out of line... not at all, but perhaps not the best way to go about it...
next time you might just want to stay in your car and try to strike up a conversation at a safe distance like "nice bike what size engine is in it? what mods are on it?" kind of thing in a non threatening way. i have yet to meet someone who doesnt like to talk about their bike. and if they dont seem on the up and up, leave and call the cops. try to  get a license plate number and if you can write down their discription. i would hate to hear that it was being stolen and the guys panicked and shot at you or hurt you and your wife... i know here in Hawaii there are just way too many crack heads that wouldnt think twice of killing someone that got in their way. for instance just yesterday (dont mean to thread jack) i saw a couple arguing in a parking lot. the girl kept slapping the guy in the face really hard and the guy kept yelling at her. some good Samaritan tried to  calm them down  and ended up getting punched twice in the face, when he fell down the girl kicked him in the stomach then she got in the car with the guy and they left. probably to have crazy make up sex.

[IZ]

^^Agreed

I wouldn't have asked them such a direct question like that.

It's none of your business and I probably would've said "FU" as well.  

A little more tact would be better especially since bad guys sometimes carry guns and questions like that could p*ss them off.  Probably distract them with the above questions about the bike while your wife was in the car taking down info (descriptions, license plate, etc.) and calling the cops.  Not like anyone is ever expecting to do this kind of thing..in hindsight..it's easy to say coulda/shoulda.

I've seen a couple bicycles and a motorcycle get stolen.  I called the cops immediately with my concerns and asked them to call me back when/if they caught the theives and/or recovered the property.  

Funny how tight the Duc community is though.  After I posted the bike in Kirkland being stolen, someone on here said they saw it parked downtown and the cops were able to recover it.    

[Raux]

Good call on the vibe, bad call on the confrontation. unless you have a badge, best to observe and report.

of course everyone has said this already.

If it were my bike and i was picking it up, i would thank you for caring though. so, maybe he was stealing it, unless i had a chip on my shoulder like someone

[superjohn]

Not out of line and you walked away instead of pushing a confrontation, so I don't think it's a big deal. If those guys were legit, chances are they wouldn't have been so pissed off.

[Preisker]

Personally, if someone asks me for some proof of ID or ownership or basically anything, my standard answer is, "Who the make the beast with two backs are you, the police?" 

If you thought something hinky was going on, call the police.   But to ask someone for their proof of ownership, that could get  you shot, or raped and shot, or beat up, raped and shot.   You aren't the police.

[pitbull]

If it were my bike and someone was attempting to steal it, I would have appreciated your efforts.


If it were my bike and I were loading it into a pick-up and you stopped to ask me if it were mine, with genuine concern, I would have appreciated your inquisition.

[Gator]

They could have been repo-men just trying to get the job done asap.

Either way I wouldn't get involved unless someone was getting hurt.
Just call the man with the plate numbers.

[Uncle Mofo]

Get plate number from safe distance and pics if you can. Then call the police sit back and watch. If turns out to be a theft in progress approach the police after the arrest, and tell them you called. They will need your info and statement.   

[RichD]

you did the right thing. 

Altho I think I wouldn't have approached two possible thieves.  I would've called the cops and sat there in my car watching, writing down their plate number and taking pictures.

Confronting two possible thieves is a great way to get shot...
Let the boys in blue handle it -that's what we pay them for.   

[Alexandre]

i think that the intent was great but if somebody pulled up to me demanding to see proof of ownership while i was hauling my bike onto a trailer for whatever reason (assuming i've had some issues starting it or whatever, i would be in a bad mood already) i would tell you to piss off too. call it in to the cops if you are really concerned.

and as others have said, if they were stealing the bike than confronting them is a great way to get yourself hurt.