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)This dude is in workboots trapping eggbeaters.....you all know the alert signs
this is the second time this has happened to me, the 1st time it was a Giant Anthem, and we got the bike back.
So BOOM a surge of adrenaline as i decide to follow this damned thief. i turn off the main road and backtrack one block, i manage to get back onto the main road and keep eye on the guy by turning down streets, and parking in driveways. A difficult task on a dual carrige way when the "perp" is cycling on the wrong side of the road.
I call the cops on 10111 and brief them, they tell me that someone is on their way.
Now i am a firm believer of NOT TAKING the law into your own hands, i will tip off cops and trail suspects but i am going to confront the suspect.
About 15 mins and 10km later the guy is in the coastal suburbs, i am still managing to follow him at a distance, i really didnt feel right about confronting the guy, eventually he stops at a house, and stands by the gate, i park at the corner about 60meters away and call the cops again and update them regarding my whereabouts.
The house gate opens and the suspect goes inside, sh1t i think to myself, now i have made a buggerup, by being a cautious and in my mind clear thinking citizen i have screwed myself and whoever owns this bike, because now the cops will need a warrant or something.
The cops arrive, and tell me that it is fine, i must just show them the house.
I do that, and they take my name and number and say that i can leave, but i dont i wait around.
They are let into the property and after about 10 minutes they come out.
Apparently the guy that i saw is the gardener, and his other employer is an american chap that recently got another bike, and gave this guy his old bike.
From my point of veiw the cops in Tableview are competent, and if they didnt think anything was sneaky then i believe them.
I just wanted to share this with you all for two reasons, there are always discussions regarding stolen bikes and the probability that even though the guy doesnt look like the rightful owner, that doesnt mean that the bike isnt his,although i dont think this is the norm, i would say maybe 10%.
Also (i didnt get close enough to see the branding - it could be a OnOne) but if anyone has recently had a metallic fire engine red 29er with a White Fox fork and eggbeaters stolen, i know the house where they took it.
And just because this is thehubsa i would like to say screw you in advance to anyone that tries to flame me for not following the correct procedure in their vigalentesque opinion.
Edited by Gravity, 24 February 2011 - 11:25 .
Hopefully most of us will do the same if in a similar situation.
