The digital stomping ground for the outdoor community
About
Carmichaels asks community to help catch bike thieves
From Carmichael Training Systems (click to see video of bike thieves breaking in at Carmichaels Training Systems.)
Carmichael Training Systems was the victim of a burglary early on the morning of October 5, 2010. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time we’ve been hit this year, and we’re not alone. Almost every bike shop in Colorado Springs has been burglarized this year – several shops have been hit more than once, despite everyone’s efforts to increase security in their buildings – and in recent weeks the bicycle thieves have also struck the homes of coaches and athletes in the city.
Though the police are actively investigating these crimes and have some strong leads, we’re hopeful that the cycling and endurance sports communities along the Front Range may be more successful at finding the perpetrators.
Carmichael Training Systems was the victim of a burglary early on the morning of October 5, 2010. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time we’ve been hit this year, and we’re not alone. Almost every bike shop in Colorado Springs has been burglarized this year – several shops have been hit more than once, despite everyone’s efforts to increase security in their buildings – and in recent weeks the bicycle thieves have also struck the homes of coaches and athletes in the city.
Though the police are actively investigating these crimes and have some strong leads, we’re hopeful that the cycling and endurance sports communities along the Front Range may be more successful at finding the perpetrators.
These thieves are not amateurs; they know bikes and target exactly what they’re looking for. They steal a handful of bikes (3-5) at a time. The police theory is that they are stripping the bikes down and selling them in pieces, since it’s far less noticeable to sell a stolen set of cranks, a shock, a set of wheels, etc., rather than a complete bike.
This may explain why, when given a choice of what to take, they have often focused on bikes with newest, most expensive parts. A few months ago the police did apprehend one thief they believe to be part of the group that is perpetrating these crimes, and for a short time the burglaries stopped. We were informed by the police that they believe the primary motive for the group is to generate cash to buy drugs. In recent weeks the burglaries have begun again, and at least this time we caught one thief on camera.
This may explain why, when given a choice of what to take, they have often focused on bikes with newest, most expensive parts. A few months ago the police did apprehend one thief they believe to be part of the group that is perpetrating these crimes, and for a short time the burglaries stopped. We were informed by the police that they believe the primary motive for the group is to generate cash to buy drugs. In recent weeks the burglaries have begun again, and at least this time we caught one thief on camera.
Based on their knowledge of cycling equipment, there’s a decent chance they were part of our community as athletes at some point, and they could still be part of the athletic community. You may have ridden with them or maybe even worked with them in bike shops before they turned to their current vocation. With all due respect to our cash-strapped police force in Colorado Springs, property crimes are a low priority, which is why we’re turning to the endurance sports community. Somebody out there knows who is doing this, and people out there are buying stolen bike parts. These thieves are hurting your local bike shops and your fellow athletes.
the Gold Hill Division at 719-385-2100. You can also email info@trainright.com and we'll forward the information to the police.
In the most recent burglary, the following bikes were stolen from CTS:
- 2010 Gary Fisher Superfly hardtail 29er Mountain Bike, size 17.5, white with red accents. It has a full SRAM XX groupo.
- 2010 Niner Air 9 hardtail 29er mountain bike, size Medium, silver frame. It has a white Fox 32 F29 RLC fork with 15mm thru-axle, SRAM XX components, Avid Elixir brakes, and Stan’s Crest wheels with red Hope hubs.
- 2009 Orbea OCAM Team 26-inch wheeled full-suspension mountain bike, size Medium, carbon frame with gray swingarm. It has a full XTR 970 gruppo.
Even though the owners of the bikes would like them back, recovering the stolen bikes isn’t what’s most important; there are thieves in our midst, and until we find them everyone who has invested their hard-earned money in high-quality bikes is at risk of having those bikes stolen.
Help us catch a thief. Forward this story and video to your friends in the endurance athletic community throughout the Front Range and beyond. If you have any information that might help the investigations, please contact Colorado Springs Police main dispatch at 719-444-7000 orthe Gold Hill Division at 719-385-2100. You can also email info@trainright.com and we'll forward the information to the police.
Views: 84
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Brian McCarrie on
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tim Bergsten on
-
Hey P.J...the link to the video is right at the top of this story ... just click on "From Carmichael Training Systems."
-
© 2024 Created by Tim Bergsten.
Powered by
