How I got my stolen bike back

This was originally written in 2020.

Three weeks ago while making breakfast, Kim, looking out the sliding glass door, asked why the BBQ lid was open. I couldn’t explain it, but didn’t think much of it, closed the lid, and made some coffee.

Kim headed out to get groceries after breakfast, and while I was helping bring them in from the car she asked “What’s with the beer bottles?” There were 3, unopened beer bottles in the grass beside the car, which again I couldn’t explain - I only buy cans. I looked around and saw my old beat up mountain bike laying in the yard, instead of in the garage. I ran over to the garage, pulled back the tarp covering the opening and looked at the empty spot where I left my 2018 Specialized AWOL the night before.

Someone had stolen my bike! I ran down the driveway and around the neighbourhood looking for my bike as it started to rain. I spent the next couple hours driving around North Seattle hoping to find it, or any evidence of where it could be.

I marked my bike as stolen on Bike Index and called the Seattle PD non-emergency line to file a police report. The officer I spoke with had some advice: look on Craigslist and Offerup, and if I found it I should try to arrange a pickup with the seller and the police would come and help retrieve it. The officer also said he wouldn’t recommend getting it back without police support, but “if it was my bike, I’d go and get it back.”

When I got back from my search, Kim had talked to the neighbours. Nothing of theirs was stolen, but the door to their smoker and truck tailgate were both open when they left for work at 6am.

Searching and waiting

So I spent the following weeks scrolling through Craigslist, Offerup, Facebook Marketplace hoping to see my stolen bike for sale. I set up email alerts on those sites. I joined a few Facebook groups for people who’ve had their bike stolen, and they had similar advice to the police: hope to find it on sale online, meet up with the seller, then take it back by force or ask to take a "test ride" and never return.

During this time I also replaced the tarp covering the garage with a wall, door and padlock, so if I ever got my bike back, or replaced I’d at least have a safe place to store it.

As the days and weeks went by, I’d slowed down my online search; there are hundreds of bikes for sale every day between Seattle, Portland, and the surrounding area, and I’d started to accept that I might never see my bike again.

Until I got a text, just before 11am on Sunday: “Is this your bike?”

Attached was a screenshot of a bike on Offerup that looked like my AWOL. I ran to my computer, searched, and there it was. My bike. “New bike straight from rei $600”. The post was located about 30mins away in Kent WA.

Contacting the seller

Things started going fast. I first called the Kent PD non-emergency line to arrange a pickup. They said to call back when I’ve arranged a meetup. I posted on the FB groups asking what to do, and most responses suggested meeting up and riding off with it.

I messaged the seller: “Are you free today? I have a bike trip coming up and this would be perfect.”, trying to sell the story. After a little back and forth the seller messaged their address. It was in Pioneer Square (Seattle), so I called the Seattle PD, and they said the same as Kent. I told the seller I would head out.

Kim and I drove down, parked 4 or 5 blocks away, and I once again called the SPD. We arranged to meet 1 block from the address the seller gave me in 5 mins, so I jumped out of the car and started walking over.

For those unfamiliar with Seattle, Pioneer Square is part of downtown. Parts are a little run down, there’s a lot of homelessness, night life, small galleries, and shops.

As I’m getting closer to the intersection to meet the officer I’m scanning the tents and people in the area for my bike. During this time the seller is continuing to message me asking when I’ll be there. I stall saying I’m looking for parking. Seller tells me to just park in front of the apartment, “be a quick transaction any way”

I don’t see the officer anywhere, so I take a lap around the block looking for one and see a couple police cars parked nearby. But they were empty. A third car pulled up just then, and I flagged them down. After explaining my situation they said they were here for a different call, but that they’d heard my case on dispatch and that I should be patient.

Seller started to seem anxious “wya” I replied “Okay, I’ll just drive over there”

After another 5 mins I called the non-emergency line again. “Yes an officer is on the way, but they have to prioritize emergencies.”

Seller: “Wya”
Me: “2 mins away”
S: “Come park behind the bin”
S: “I don’t see you”

So at this point I started to assume the officer wasn’t going to show, and head to the address and reply “Yeah I’m here white raincoat”

I see the garbage bin and alley he’d told me to park near, but don’t see anyone with a bike. There were dozens of people all over, and commotion typical of Pioneer Square at 11:30am on a Sunday, I assume.

I heard someone calling a name. “Larry”, and then I realized that was the name I’d used on the fake Offerup account I’d messaged the seller from. I turn around, and see a big dude in an apartment doorway 20 feet away waving me over. I walk over and he motions me to enter the apartment vestibule “I had a bike stolen so come inside.”

The meetup

I looked inside, and there was my bike leaning up against a table. The entryway was clean, well lit, about 20’x30’, so I went in.

“Here’s the bike. Ya there’s a lot of bikes stolen in this neighbourhood so you can ride it around here if you want” as he gestures at the small area we’re standing in.

Biking off on a “test ride” wasn’t an option; I wasn’t going to wrestle my bike out the door.

“It looks a little big.”
“Oh ya, no problem, I can put the seat down.”

I was killing time, thinking how to proceed.

I ask “You want $600?”
“Ya, $600.”
“Hmm, looks too big for me.”
“Well how much do you want to pay?”
“Would you do $400?”
“How about $450?”
“I guess. Let me try it out.”

I walked up to the bike leaning against a table, and saw a bike lock - my bike lock - on the table.

"Is this the lock for it?"
"No, no. I'm keeping that" He reaches for the lock, and I hand it to him.

I throw my leg over the bike, and unsteadily ride around in a circle in the small entrance, not wanting to look too comfortable and blow my cover story.

"Ya, still seems too big for me." which is true.
"It's a good bike."

I then had an idea.

"Ok. I think it will work for me, but I need to get money. Is there an ATM nearby?"
"Ya, down the block, and on the left."
"Great. Let's head over, and I can get your money and you can give me the bike."

Maybe I could flag down an officer on the street, or just take off with the bike if there was an opportunity, but he seemed hesitant. I started walking towards the exit, and he followed at first, then said he needed to call his girlfriend, and something about not being allowed to take the bike outside.

"Come on, let's go to the bank and we can exchange."
"Ok, let me take the bike back and we can go." as he starts walking away from the exit, deeper into the building. I didn't want to let the bike out of sight.

"If you're not going to take the bike to the bank, just wait here, and I'll come back with the money."
"Ya ok, I'm going to take the bike back up. Go get money and bring your car. What car do you drive?"

He's pushing the bike toward the elevator, and at this point it feels like the seller is on to me.

"Honda Fit"
"What color?"
"Green" I lie.
"Ok, bring your car over, and I'll bring the bike down."

I follow him deeper into the building, and he's now in the elevator with my bike. The door starts to close, and I reach over and hold it open.

"$400?" I ask.
"Ya go get your money."
"Well, let's see how much money I have."

I have my foot holding the elevator door, and pull out my wallet. I know I had less than $40, and pulled out the few bills I had: a twenty, and a few fives and ones.

"How about… $32?"

He scoffs at the offer.

The elevator is beeping, and the door is pushing against my foot. I'm out of options, so I decided to make a play.

"So the thing is, that's my bike."
"No it's not. I bought it two and a half weeks, two and a half months ago."
"No it's my bike, and we can get the cops involved if you want."

I pulled my keys out of my pocket, grabbed the bike lock sitting hanging from the bike seat, and unlocked the lock. His expression changed.

"I guess if you can unlock it, it's your bike. Damn man, I spent $150 on that."
"I know man, times are tough, I need that bike to get to work. If the $32 makes it easier, then it's yours."

He looked away and held out his hand. I handed over the $32, grabbed my bike, and wheeled it out onto the street.

Glory ride

I'll never forget that ride back to my car. My heart was pounding, completely astonished that I had gotten my bike back. Huge smile on my face. I threw it onto my bike rack and drove it home.

I haven't had any issues with bike theft since.

I know I'm extremely lucky. Most stolen bikes never find their way back to their rightful owner. But it does happen. I'll always be grateful to the person who sent me a message of my stolen bike for sale.

Some advice for bike owners:

• register your bike on bikeindex.org, including pictures and serial number
• your bike is always at risk of being stolen - when in your garage, on your balcony, locked up safely
• it can take months for your stolen bike to show up for sale; don't lose hope!
• find local groups on Facebook who can help you get your bike back
• Police might not be any help (probably dealing with something more important, hopefully…)