My exotic mountain bike was stolen today, and I almost got it back . . .

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

He could have gotten it back without using insurance.

Theoretically I could have. I also could have been stabbed while trying. Honestly I am not paid to be a cop, so I don't act like one. My personal safety wasn't in jeopardy, and I saw no reason to change that fact by getting into it with some tweaker.

You're a poser, right? You don't sound like no real mtber to me.

You're fucking kidding me, right?

Are you seriously so fucking thick headed that you can't understand what he's saying?

I'm sure you're all badass and would have just whipped out your .45 and shot the guy on sight, eh? Get a fuckin' clue. It's not his job to be a cop, he's a lawyer. He has a reputation to uphold. This is in absolutely no way insurance fraud, you people are insane.

:|

Originally posted by: AVAFREAK182
I'm not reading through all the posts, but you are an absolute pussy for not punching the guy in the face repetitively and taking the bike.

ethug ++1

Originally posted by: dNor
OP probably would have let someone walk up and casually take $4,500 from him and walk off without confronting the guy. Not in the face, not in the face!!!

ethug ++2

Originally posted by: halik
WTF,
you let someone leave with your property? WTF man... wtf

ethug ++3

Originally posted by: FirewolfX

You sound like a pussy.

ethug ++4

You're all so fucking badass sitting behind your computer monitors... :roll:

Give me a fucking break. I don't have any problem admitting that I wouldn't fight a stranger for my bike, especially if its insured. What the fuck is the point? To be badass?

There are more important things than that. I want to personally apologize to Don Vito Corleone for all of you shitting all over his thread. Knock it off.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: FirewolfX

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Maybe I missed it in the OP but why didn't you just keep an eye on him till the cops got there?

He was very squirrelly and wasn't going to hang around to talk to the cops. I would have had to detain him, which I had zero interest in doing.

You sound like a pussy.

qft.

 

[Dirigible]

Hah! All kinds of tomfoolery in bicycle threads today.

Don Vito, I'm sorry your bike was stolen. I hope the police get it back, although I admit I'm sure they won't. Bummer such a sweet ride has ended up where it won't be appreciated. I for one can not fault you for not confronting him. Around here there's no way I would've physically messed with someone over a bicycle. Too many people get hurt that way. Good on you for not being attached to physical possessions.

I do wish you'd get back into riding though. As a young lawyer myself (I'm only 36! 😛 ) mountain biking is the only thing that keeps me sane. All kinds of healthy side benefits too.

 

[compuwiz1]

Sorry about your loss, man.

Now to lighten the mood. Did you to see if the bike is here? 😉

 

[coreyb]

The same thing happened to me last year. I saw the bum at a local coffee shop with my bike, so I called the cops. I explained the whole situation and described a few scratches or faults in my bike to them and they gave me my bike back. They offered to put him in jail for me, but I said no cause it would be doing him a favor (place to sleep).

 

[maxcaleb]

Sweet bike, that frame will basically last forever. Those Ibis parts are awesome, definitely collector's items.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Dirigible
I for one can not fault you for not confronting him. Around here there's no way I would've physically messed with someone over a bicycle.

He could have at least called the police and followed the guy. But he let the guy go first and then called the police. Coward.

 

[Throwmeabone]

Lol the theif sold a $4,500 bike for $75.

 

[troytime]

way to go OP for being smart, safe, and playing it out like an adult.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Dirigible
I for one can not fault you for not confronting him. Around here there's no way I would've physically messed with someone over a bicycle.

He could have at least called the police and followed the guy. But he let the guy go first and then called the police. Coward.

I didn't have my phone. How could I have done what you propose?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I just spoke to my claims adjuster today. She was very friendly. I just sent her details and pics of the bike (hopefully that will do, since God knows I don't have any receipts), and a receipt for my stolen Echo chainsaw. Also, when I went to put on my snow tires tonight I realized that my brand-new floor jack was also taken, which is a nuisance, so I sent her that receipt as well.

I imagine there may be a bit of a freak-out factor on the part of my adjuster when she sees how expensive the bike was (in adding it up, I had about $3,500 into it, and the replacement value would be north of $5K - Serotta no longer makes MTBs, but the equivalent road frame now sells for - gulp - $4,600!), but we shall see. I have USAA and they've always been just amazing on claims in the past, so I'm optimistic. I have full replacement coverage under my homeowner's, so as long as they treat me fairly it should be a nice settlement.

I'm not surprised some people here would critique me for not taking the bike back. I am a lawyer, though, and tend to think tactically about these things. When I confronted the guy riding my bike, I thought this all through and concluded it wasn't worth it for a number of reasons:

1) I might get beat up or stabbed, which would be especially problematic since I was in the middle of a trial (which I won!).

2) I was driving my BMW 330i, a pretty small car, so if I took the bike I would have to either fight the guy off while I took the wheels off to throw it in the trunk (yeah, right), or ride if off and leave him to vandalize my car (which, being a BMW, would be an especially attractive target for someone like that).

3) If he was in fact the thief (which I honestly don't think he was), he would know where I lived anyway (about 2 blocks from where I confronted him) and just take the bike back and/or mess with my car.

4) If I ended up being charged with assault or something similar for taking the bike back, it would have severe and immediate financial and career consequences that would make the cost of the bike look trivial.

On balance I have no regrets about the way I handled it, though I fully understand and respect that someone else might take a different approach.

 

[alkemyst]

It's funny a lawyer of all people would not keep their receipt for a 4 figure bike they seem rather attached too. Funny how a lawyer of all people would also not have a cell phone on them.

Your solution could have been an easy call the police, stop and get your bike. If the bum hassles you, the police will be there soon. Getting your bike home doesn't seem to be what you wanted though.

your #3 is a coward's comment. Maybe he might see your post now and hunt you down too....

#4 wow. As a lawyer you'd think you could defend your own actions for getting your own bike back.

I hope this isn't your Huffy got stolen and now you have looked up a hotter bike you want.

 

[Turin39789]

I'd have at least gotten into my car and followed him. Chance to follow him "home" or till he makes a stop somewhere and you could have gotten to a phone while keeping an eye on the bike

 

[ViviTheMage]

Where was he?! We can take it back together 😀

<-- 36th and Emerson ave south

 

[DayLaPaul]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: FirewolfX

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Maybe I missed it in the OP but why didn't you just keep an eye on him till the cops got there?

He was very squirrelly and wasn't going to hang around to talk to the cops. I would have had to detain him, which I had zero interest in doing.

You sound like a pussy.

You sound like an idiot.

C'mon now. I'm not saying I disagree with the OP's inactions, but the guy's name is Don Vito Corleone and now he's acting all pacifist on us.