Don’t Make It Easy
So today someone tried to steal my bike. I managed to recover it an 30 mins after the incident thanks to AirTags and rental scooters. Always be aware of the situation, be safe and don’t make it easy for them by having those security contingency plans for your vehicle.
This happened at La Brea and Santa Monica , locked up next to the Target entrance.
Those extra securities people think aren’t worth it, will save you $$$ . Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it at all.
Edit: For those asking for more context.
I’m a delivery driver and I Locked my bike up at the Target on La Brea and Santa Monica upstairs on a pole between the entrance of Target and the elevator.
When I returned , my bike is gone. Lock was completely gone (a chain combination lock) It’s unknown what he used or how he destroy the lock . I’ll make any updates as I find out more about the investigation . What also bothered me , there are two security guards present in that center, I even said hi to one while locking my bike and yet no one saw anything. I understand it’s not their responsibility but for someone to be stealing things right under their noses is disappointing.
*This part isn’t something anyone should do. Your safety is number 1 and wait for the authorities to arrive.*
That being said.
I had an AirTag hidden on the bike and located it on La Brea and Sunset sitting there. I called 911, rented a scooter and followed the ping to the corner.
While on the phone with the operator I found this guy in the photo sitting on my bike acting like he didn’t just steal it. I managed to obtain my bike with my pepper spray in hand yelling at the top of my lungs , he dropped my bike and gave it back but I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. He makes a run for it the second he hears sirens , I’m at a distance following him relaying the details to the operator, he runs into the Ross thinking he got away but security and sheriffs had already arrived and managed to detain him. I gave the detailed description of the man to the sheriffs and saw his phone was still attached to my bike. Gave that to the officers while they made the arrest.
I understand things could’ve ended differently, I am aware of the idiocy of trying to recover my property. If it ended differently it would’ve been a different story , but with the world changing and people feeling confident to steal other’s livelihood makes it hard to stand by.
Michael Jackson let us all know “All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us (don't you sit back and watch the beatin')”. Don’t just sit back and watch. People will keep doing this unless we make it harder for them.
Use multiple hidden AirTags or any similar tracking system. 2 locks (might be tedious but a determined theft will do anything) and don’t leave anything behind. This is the fourth bike in 20 years that’s been stolen but the 1st successfully recovered.