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we were parked outside of vegan house on sunset and these kids were trying to steal my front wheel. they only made off with my top tube pad.
i stole these pictures from eddieboys flickr. do you know these kids, eddie?
a bunch of other people has seen these kids and the first things they do is ask "what kind of bike is that? is it expensive?" etc etc etc. beware of these kids. use two locks to secure your stuff. dont use cable locks.
I think i see the top photo kid all the time riding from Sunset down to santa monica blvd....there's about 3-4 kids all on fixies that sometimes ride 3-4 times a day down the hill.
the two kids scampered off when we went outside and the top kid came back with an older looking kid. they just rode in circles and did some skids and then rode off again.
I DONT KNOW WHAT THERE NAMES ARE BUT THEY DO COME TO SOME OF OUR LOCAL RIDES (DTLA), AND I'D SURE LIKE TO RUN INTO THEM, DID YOU ACTUALLY SEE THEM JACKING YOUR SHIT, OR WE ARE GOING ON A WITCH HUNT.
I AM NOT TRYING TO DEFEND THEM, I SO DONT THINK THAT I AM, OK, RBI??
I JUST WANT TO BE SURE, BEFORE I ACCUSE THEM, TO THERE FACE.
IF YOU HAVE MY PHONE AT HOME, THEN PLEASE CALL ME, AND I'LL DEFINITELY CONFRONT THEM.
yeah i live on sunset and see those kids biking all the time. I thought something was odd when i saw them all roll by on bikes way way to big for them. They sometimes come to critcal mass when it swings by echo park. hope somebody straightens them out last thing la needs is more bike theives
Yeah these little kids are the bike thieves. We were all Vegan House on Sunset and we saw these little terds rolling around the spot. Good shit Tyler went outside and those kids jammed.
We know its them Eddie because I'm guessing Tyler doesn't ride around with his wheels' lock nuts completely undone.
Dang... aint that some shiet. Should've started thinking twice when they had some pretty nice wheels... and that the bike was way big for them. Not to say that they can't afford that shiet but.... damn... glad you caught that shiet on time before took shiet.
yeah, drew said they were the same kids from the metric the night before. they mentioned something to him about there being a new bike shop in echo park run out of someones garage? sounds shady.
When you see these kids, try not to accuse them of anything, but get as much info as you can so we can get to the bottom of all this stealing and stop it.
Nope... never heard of a new shop. I would take Borfo's advice and not accuse them of anything... yet. I say we set up a sting operation and let them lead us to the big fish.
"Say lthere child with the cool fixie that is too large for you... you've got cool wheels. Where can I get wheels like yours? You say you know this guy with all these cool bikes and parts running out of a garage? Take me to him? I've got cash to spend!"
Claymores? C-4? Discarded, 155mm Howitzer shells? Industrial, demolition TNT? jonnyboy's IPhone after I convert it into a mini-nuke?
Borfo and SpiralJockey's farts after being loaded into a vacuum-canister?
Incendiary grenade? M67 frag-grenade?
Or, how's about we just find the ring-leader, kidnap, cook, then eat as
"BicycleTheftRingleaderBurger"?
aw thats too bad....i thought those kids were gonna be cool...the first photo of the kid on a red bike and do track stands he was kinda cool...but he stole shit then break his legs
When I first saw them on Friday I thought it was cool to see little kids riding like that. I was getting on one of them for no helmet and no lights and he shot right back with "no underwear"! I thought, man this kids pretty funny. So it totally sucked to find they were up to this shit.
I know we all vent on here alot and make some rash statements.
But take a second and step back. These are minors. We are not (well most of us anyway). Be very careful what you do or say to them because the rules are different for them. Besides, as Nathan said, what we really want is to get the people higher up.
I would like to have a word with their parents though.
Identifying the thieves is a good first step. Watch your shit when they're around.
There about a least 3 groups of thieves, don't know if they all know each other but they seem to work the same way. They look for easy targets like unlocked or barely bikes and components. Lights, pedals, wheels, saddles and handle bars are common stolen items. Lock whatever you can.
As long as bikes are hip, the stealing will continue. I'm afraid that the stealing is not limited to the groups I first suspected. I was talking to some kid with a mismatch of parts, some great and some junk, on a rattle canned track frame. He had no idea what he had or how much things cost. Proof to me, that stealing trend is growing.
Here are some things we can do. Identifying the thieves, when you've got positive proof, will help. Posting what is stolen will also help since of of the items stolen are being sold. Be careful who you buy your stuff from, if it's too good to be true, it is. Providing a ready market from cheap stolen goods is a huge part of the problem. Lastly and most importantly, lock your shit up!
@RBI, I don't think it's out of someone's garage, but a new place called Echo Park Cycles opened up (at 1932 Echo Park Ave) pretty recently. I've been meaning to check it out.
i know its not that place. one of the dtla messengers opened that up and its in a legit storefront. the guy that runs it (izzy? ozzy? i forget his name) bought a stolen wheel off these kids for $20 and gave it back to its rightful owner no questions asked.
someone also just walked into drif la one day and grabbed a rear hed3 wheel (worth almost $1000) and ran off with it. these thieves are ballsy.
Before anyone gets confused, Echo Park Cycles HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE THIEVING. They are a new bike shop started by messengers most of you already know. Just a concern that this thread is about thieving and they get a mention.
In fact, they have been victims themselves. They do their part in discouraging thieving by not serving known bike thieves.
I wasn't trying to point fingers, FYI. I just wanted to point out that Echo Park Cycles is probably the new shop the kids were referring to, and that it's a legit business. Should have been clearer.
i recommend someone invite them to the next ride and then publicly oozinate them for their actions. maybe they'll start stealing supersoakers instead of bikes.
if the post gets flagged/removed, then heres the text.
"One of these bike thief crews is located on Virgil between Normal and Burns streets near the Smogcutter Bar. They frequent the Sunset Junction, Melrose and Heliotrope area and are probably responsible for half of the stuff missing from that area.
two of the kids in this crew are named Kevin and Angel, they live in the first building on the left, if you turn east on Burns off of Virgil.
I know all of this because i live in the area, and they got me for a front wheel. I followed one of them later that evening, and remarkably, got my shit back.
Pay these shitheads a visit on your next group ride.
Hi Folks-
I've got a big heads up for you bike folks out there. There are, I swear to whatever, BANDS of bike thieves currently preying upon the cycling community in LA. A slew of bike messengers lost their wheels this week, and the folks over at Melrose and Heliotrope are getting, not just wheels, but also saddles and pedals stolen in broad daylight. These thieves have TOOLS with them and they know how to use them. They have been seen with a white Mercedes that has tinted windows, and this car has been seen following GROUP RIDES too.
Lock it up, folks, and be wary of the stuff you buy off of Craigslist."
These kids don't deserve a time out... more like time in juvie.
nice craigslist post. I had no idea of the car and makes sense of a car following rides. I've always had a fear of someone slipping in the group. You never know. Keep them eyes peeled. Lights.... tools... etc. Sucks it has to come to this but we have to look out for each other.
I saw two kids on fixed gears riding up vermont yesterday carrying a wheel. They were right near the bici kitchen so I rode over there to see if any bikes were missing wheels, but I didn't see any
arrrgh sunday(?) i saw two dudes walking fixed bikes up a very non-steep hill (one was like a 60+cm and they were a short), monday i saw some dude struggling up sunset on a fixie with a single wheel in his hands with some other dude. and i guess yesterday someone almost stole someones bike but walked away saying, "what!"... they've been stepping it up lately.
lock up both wheels yall. we really need LOJACK dammit.
I'm volunteering at a youth bike kitchen in Long Beach, there should be a similar program for youths in LA, is the bike kitchen's earn a bike program running? The one where kids work to earn bike frame and parts?
if the white car is parked out front, what say we fuck with it at the dead of night... REALLY FUCK WITH IT..... FUCK them. They probably stole my S&S fixie last month. I was in that area. Let them know what its like to get thier shit messed with!
with what proof? you cant just show up at the station house and be like "these kids are stealing things" and expect the cops to lock them up and throw away the key.
well, i mean, its a good suggestion, but its better to implement some sort of concrete evidence to go along with it. whether it be photographic or a videotape, or knowing that they are riding someones registered (and subsequently stolen) bike the night we lead them to the police station.
I think it's a good suggestion Raquel. (p.s. You got to lighten up a little)
Tyler is right about proof. We do have witnesses that can recognize them and multiple occurrences in which we've seen them with stolen materials and stuff. But we need a photo of them actually in the act and possibly more by closely following them and a sting operation, which is being privately discussed.
I think Raquel's idea would be the final thing to do. Even though I am kind of against turning people into the police. I think there will be more robberies regardless.
Danny mentioned an idea, but I don't see the logistics of how that works.
If you set up a sting, don't discuss the details online. It sounds like they're pretty dumb, but if they're showing up on group rides, then they're at least smart enough to know about this site.
These kids are hardly the only bike thieves operating out there, and they're definitely supplying someone higher up. If you catch or videotape them in the act, it would probably be best to try to find out where they're taking the stuff that they steal. Otherwise, some other kids will be doing the same shit next week.
I saw 4 lil shits in orange 20 try to steal last night. they got stopped though by Cache who held one of their biks hostage until the lil shits returned the merch.
they make quick release skewers for wheels and seatposts that are self locking, making you use a special key to open them.
im putting wax in all my allen bolts so you cant stick your own allen key in and steal my seat or handlebars. some people super glue ball bearings into them instead of wax.
We are also still missing a few things. Orlando's non drive gr-9, A red deep-v lace to red front hub, soma high flange front hub laced to Mavic and a blue Weinmann hub & rim with a 15 cog. So the U-Lock Mob will roll out soon to reclaim that aswell.
Some of the things these kids are stealing are in excess of 400 dollars which make it a grand theft. So make sure whatever you guys use as bait for this sting costs 400+ so that you guys can get a good case out of it. Even better if you guys can get the cops on scene while its happening. If not, THEN VIDEO IS THE WAY TO GO.
DO NOT TOUCH THE KIDS OR ATTEMPT A CITIZENS ARREST. Unless of course, you don't mind the possibility of getting sued.
Oh, and it would probably be a great idea to keep most of your discussion on this issue private. Not only may the thieves be reading this, but I'm sure the cops come on here as well. If one of these kids gets beat down by one of you...some of the things said in this thread could come back and bite you in the ass.
Also very important, report all of your stolen property. Keep the DR numbers. If the officers won't take a report, then ask for an incident report. Always try to get a subject description. If the police department gets enough reports like these they may start their own sting operations to catch these thieves.
How's about everybody just bug and hound the fuck out of them?!?!?
Ask them about, "Where didja get that bike?", or "Nice haircut, who's yo stylist?", or "I really dig that Hulkamania shirt, kid!!", or "Hey, your older brother ain't < insert name here > ?".
With everyone hounding them with incessant, screwball questions, the kids will be aware that people are aware of them, and now they'll either be:
A)Too nervous to jack shit
B)Now have a new reputation branded on them and are forced to change their ways.
Most of these kids are too stupid to be intimidated, or be swayed by any form of reason. I already heard a story about someone confronting one of these thieves before they could get anything, and the perp put up the whole front of, "What? What's up?" He was ready to fight. This is bullshit machismo that might get you in a fight.
The best thing we can do is keep a good watch on our bikes, lock them well. But if you do confront someone that is about to steal your bike, be ready to defend yourself. If you're worried,Get your phone out, punch 911 and keep your finger on the CALL button. Just don't confront them alone and be ready to kick some ass.
These kids need to be called out. They need to know that we are on to them. Don't buy random shit off the street or craigslist. If you see them on rides, point them out - call them thieves, and make them feel unwanted. Don't try to be their friends.
We can take care of this, the cops aren't going to do shit.
"Ask them about, "Where didja get that bike?", or "Nice haircut, who's yo stylist?", or "I really dig that Hulkamania shirt, kid!!", or "Hey, your older brother ain't < insert name here > ?". "
this may have been mentioned before but these little fucks hang out @ sunset and echopark ave at the walgreens everyday. I pass them all the time. The other day, they were checking out my bike, I said "I know all about u thieves".
If you want to find them and scare them, they will be there.
If you see a specialized Langster London with only a front brake, a brooks black b17 saddle, and Christophe toe clips and straps on mks track pedals, don't buy that shit. It's mine and STOLEN. Some idiot who has no concern for the value of other people's property or the detrimental effects of stealing a primary mode of transportation is out there with my bike. Beware of the stolen ish that comes through this place
STOLEN CANNONDALE CAAD8 ROAD BIKE *REWARD* -
My bike was stolen yesterday (10/23/08) between 7:30am-8:30am on the MTA bus (Line 704) on Santa Monica Blvd heading westbound. I'm a regular customer on the line at that time. My bike is Cannondale Caad8 in silver with TONS of blue trim (blue tires, blue & silver Fiziki saddle with matching blue bar tape). This my main means of transportation & someone took advantage of a crowded bus. Any information is much appreciated. You can also contact me at retiredpoolplayer@yahoo.com Thanks in advance!
Hi Folks-
I've got a big heads up for you bike folks out there. There are, I swear to whatever, BANDS of bike thieves currently preying upon the cycling community in LA. A slew of bike messengers lost their wheels this week, and the folks over at Melrose and Heliotrope are getting, not just wheels, but also saddles and pedals stolen in broad daylight. These thieves have TOOLS with them and they know how to use them. They have been seen with a white Mercedes that has tinted windows, and this car has been seen following GROUP RIDES too.
Lock it up, folks, and be wary of the stuff you buy off of Craigslist.
One of these bike thief crews is located on Virgil between Normal and Burns streets near the Smogcutter Bar. They frequent the Sunset Junction, Melrose and Heliotrope area and are probably responsible for half of the stuff missing from that area.
two of the kids in this crew are named Kevin and Angel, they live in the first building on the left, if you turn east on Burns off of Virgil.
I know all of this because i live in the area, and they got me for a front wheel. I followed one of them later that evening, and remarkably, got my shit back.
Pay these shitheads a visit on your next group ride.
There seems to be a need for a "Take Back the Bike Ride", if you see either of these two bikes or know of the people responsible please help out your fellow biker by kicking them off said bike into oncoming traffic.
Jessica (blackout blacklungs/ Brian's GF) had her bike stolen off the bus too...she now locks her bike to the bus rack every time she gets on the bus..i now do the same thing...i sugest everyone does..it makes the driver a little mad though
I don't sit when I'm on the bus I stand just behind the yellow line next to the driver.I refuse to move back when the driver tell people to.I make sure I am the closest person to the door so I could be out there before anyone is even able to get the bus rack arm off my bike.
I SAY WE FIND THEM AND THERE BIKES, LOCK THIER BIKES UP, SOMEWHERE REALLY GHETTO, TAKE SOME PICS, THEN LEAVE THE BIKES FOR 1 WEEK, COME BACK, AND TAKE MORE PICS, POST BEFORE AND AFTER PICS, GET SOME RIDERS UNDER 18, TO KICK THERE ASSES. MAKE THEM CRY FOR THEY MOMMAS.
I visited my LBS last night and talked w/ my friend who runs the place. Mentioned the chaos of this thread and related events and he turns around and drops this story on me... A customer got bike jacked recently in Griffith Park. He was on an Eddy Merckx w/ Record. (sorry that's about as much info he gave me) when someone else on a bike (kind of junky and in tennis shoes riding Look style pedals) started chatting it up with him...
Hey man...that's a nice bike!!! how much did you spend on it??? hey, I work at a shop and i can hook you up with all the stuff!!!
The soon to be victim gave a polite reply of no thanks and continued to ride on...dropping the guy. He made it up to the Observatory and on his way down the Vermont side saw the guy again. He was wondering how he got there ahead of him. The guy approached him again and started the same old talk. They were stopped at a light I think and once close enough he was able to push the guy off his bike (unclear if he was on the bike or not) and jumped on and rode away. Victim began to chase...then turned around to jump on the junky bike laying on the ground when a pick up truck came speeding by...someone jumped out the bed and picked up the bike and drove off..
he reported the theft and the police have said that there have been 4 similar incidents...
FUCK THAT!?!?!?! it was day time too!!!
I remember hearing that some guys were riding w/ a .22 in the back of their jersey cuz bike jackings were on the uprise...
Watch your back everyone!
RBI ya man shit is fuck'd up here too.. fu's got tools and shit. Only thing is the Thieves up here are more up on shit they because theyve doing it longer.The Crack Head's are the worst cuz they just lurk around thieving for that next hit.
I take off my thomson stem/ spyder seat everytime i lock Stormie up. Both wheels are a must as-well.
there have been lots of sightings of people riding fixed gears in converse or whatever on clipless pedals cruising very slowly down the sidewalks. obviously these are stolen.
i think we should do interventions with ppl like that.. like follow them to where they lock their bike up and straight jack their bike throw it in a van and then come back twenty min later and give it to em with shit missing and be like "heres yo bike.. dont steal ours.. or you get jacked"
"peace bitches." you gotta add that little part or it doesnt work right.
"there have been lots of sightings of people riding fixed gears in converse or whatever on clipless pedals cruising very slowly down the sidewalks. obviously these are stolen."
i ride a fixie from time to time with my blue chucks. this statement is too general but while also being too definitive "obviously these are stolen"...
thieves come in different shapes, sizes and with different shoes on. i usually try to ride with someone.. if that's out of the question i make sure i know the streets i'm riding. one of these motherfuckers were to try some crazy shit i don't know what i'd do but it wouldn't be nice. this is the main reason i have stopped riding to work... for fear of coming out of my bldg at the end of the day to find my baby missing.
jazzy, i think youre missing the underlying point. i used to ride my fixed gear in converse as well. however i had suntour track pedals and double straps to hold my feet onto the pedals. im sure you do something similar. these kids are riding in normal shoes with pedals that look like this.
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Ridazz Roulette!
These kids don't deserve a time out... more like time in juvie.
"Hey. Say hello to your mother for me."![](http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/pd547-pedals-mks-mm-cube.jpg">.
<br />there are no cleats on the bottom of yours or anyone elses chucks to clip into the pedal to hold your foot in place.<br><br><br><br><a href="#top"><img src="images/tar_top_pg.gif" style="border:0;margin-left:2px;"></a>
<a href="viewProfile.php?userId=486" target="_top">ruinedbyidiots</a><br>10.27.08 - 11:52 pm<br><br>
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<img src="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/pd547-pedals-mks-mm-cube.jpg"><br><br><br><br><a href="#top"><img src="images/tar_top_pg.gif" style="border:0;margin-left:2px;"></a>
<a href="viewProfile.php?userId=486" target="_top">ruinedbyidiots</a><br>10.27.08 - 11:53 pm<br><br>
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<img src=""> Damn, how did we break this thread?
<br />
<br />Can Roadblock fix it?<br><br><br><br><a href="#top"><img src="images/tar_top_pg.gif" style="border:0;margin-left:2px;"></a>
<a href="viewProfile.php?userId=5" target="_top">Joe Borfo</a><br>10.27.08 - 11:59 pm<br><br>
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you shall feel n taste my wrath. i will severe your lil digits. padawans you r not. you are wretched and villainous trash and scum you young scum.<br><br><br><br><a href="#top"><img src="images/tar_top_pg.gif" style="border:0;margin-left:2px;"></a>
<a href="viewProfile.php?userId=4724" target="_top">DARTH VELOZ</a><br>10.28.08 - 12:46 am<br><br>
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die young scum<br><br><br><br><a href="#top"><img src="images/tar_top_pg.gif" style="border:0;margin-left:2px;"></a>
<a href="viewProfile.php?userId=4724" target="_top">DARTH VELOZ</a><br>10.28.08 - 12:48 am<br><br>
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