K'Tesh

I hate bike thieves... I have untold desires on how to handle the guy who would have the balls to steal my steed (castration being among the least of them). Today, however, I read about one that I'd have to pray for...

Bike Thief Leaves Handwritten Apology Note, Plus $10 for New Lock

I hope this guy can get straightened out, and everybody will take his post script to heart.

B. Carfree

Regarding the post-script: https://www.eugeneweekly.com/article/...tor-10-11-2012 Scroll down to "so good together" letter

One hundred miles down the road from the OP's event, someone had their bike that was secured with a U-lock stolen.

Even being in a stolen car is a felony and cops are on the lookout for every car that is stolen, at least locally. A stolen bike won't even generate a police report.

genec

Isn't property worth over a certain amount, if stolen, considered a felony? Why then are not bikes, which could be expensive, also in this category?

spivonious

Yes, over a certain amount it is "grand theft", but it isn't necessarily a felony.

Myosmith

Most states set an amount for felony theft. It varies but in Minnesota it is set at $500 and bicycles are included like any other property. Remember that the $500 is for actual fair market value of the bike, not what it cost the owner or what it would cost to replace. When it is a simple theft not involving assault or other crimes the charge is often reduced to a misdemeanor in exchange for a guilty plea, at the discretion of the states attorney and judge.

mconlonx

If the level for a felony is $10k+, lots of car theft would be considered felony; few bikes would.

I bet the cops don't spend too much time looking for a car worth $1500 and theft of such might not even be a felony.

silmarillion

Probably depends on each states laws. I think that if a person can be charged with a felony based on the value of the object stolen, that the interpretation of that would depend on the bench. The judge would have to form an opinion based on the value, and the maliciousness of the theft.

Don in Austin

So for $10 and a handwritten letter he hopes the owner of the bike will not prosecute. I hope I am wrong.

Don in Austin

K'Tesh

I'm not saying that I hope that he doesn't get prosecuted. I'm hoping that the thief will be able to straighten himself out after paying his debt to society.

Digital_Cowboy

How will this letter figure into things at trial? Did the owner of the bike get the $10.00? I can't believe that some of the comments have more sympathy for the crook and not the owner.

Yes, a LOT of people have fallen on hard times, but that doesn't justify committing any crime.

Digital_Cowboy

Actually, from how it sounded to me the theif appeared to be grateful that he got caught so that he could get the help that he needs.

SPiN 360

I kind of feel sorry for the thief...

Digital_Cowboy

Really, just because times are tough, that does NOT justify ANYONE resorting to crime. Or turn it around, how would you feel if it had been YOUR bike that was stolen. Would you still feel sorry for the thief?

Don in Austin

Or the thief is a hardcore con artist and hopes the letter and the $10 will dissuade the victim from pressing charges.

Don in Austin

GraysonPeddie

Let me put it this way. I have no sympathy for stealing a bike but have a little bit of sympathy for your addiction problem. I say "little sympathy" because he really does need help right now to get rid of his problem with addiction. Of course, I do have a lot of sympathy for a very terrible quality of life. Besides, having a terrible quality of life and struggling with addiction does not make you want to commit a crime. You just lost your good heart and mind. Seriously, get help if you have addiction problem before this gets any worse.

Daves_Not_Here

I think the sad reality is that when someone slides into addiction and homelessness, many of their waking hours are spent engaging in various criminal activities, from procuring and using illegal drugs, to loitering and solicitation, to petty theft, shoplifting and more. Everything in their stolen shopping cart is stolen. People at this desperate stage in life have lost respect for social boundaries, including property rights. This does not justify crime, but I think we need to keep things in perspective. If my bike was stolen, I'd exercise my homeowner's insurance and move on.

unterhausen

I think my deductible is higher than any of my bikes are worth

Don in Austin

My wife, not a cyclist, just married to one, saw this story on Facebook. Her immediate reaction was that the remorse was 100% bogus and simply an attempt to win sympathy and get charges dropped. I am curious as to why I am the only one on this forum to bring up this possibility or, perhaps I should say likelihood. Drug addicts can be extremely slick talking and devious.

Don in Austin

unterhausen

Don, thanks for knocking down my opinion of humanity just that little bit more

Does that actually work? I assume the cops are still going to follow through and charge him

Don in Austin

Without the cooperation of the victim prosecution could very likely be abandoned. It has been decades, but I can assure you based on my experience in the drug culture a fake note of remorse and pathos to try to avoid incarceration it totally plausible. "I am really a good guy, but addiction makes me do bad things" is a pretty universal sympathy ploy when someone gets caught in a criminal act. Thief had only $10 to lose if he fails to con the person he stole the bike from. I think he has done pretty well at fooling at lot of people so the odds for his gambit are pretty good.

Don in Austin

Digital_Cowboy

Theres that possibility as well.

Digital_Cowboy

Dave,

Just because a person is homeless that doesn't mean that they're either addicts or criminals. As there a lot of people who are homeless who are honest hardworking individuals. Way too many of them are Vets who have had a difficult time re-entering civilian life.

Also for too many people filing a claim with their home owners/renters insurance isn't an option. And what if their deductible is higher then the bike is worth?

Digital_Cowboy

Don,

That is a very good question. It'd be interesting to know what if any criminal history he has.

And again I have to wonder if the victim actually got the $10.00 or not.

smasha

the irony then is that if they don't prosecute the thief, he won't go to prison and won't get the help he needs (rehab, healthcare, etc).

seriously, that note wasn't written by an average street-hustling "career" criminal.

it's ****ed up that someone has to get arrested and prosecuted before they can get the help they're seeking to get their life back on track.

dougmc

It's a written confession. Maybe the police had a weak case before ... but not any more.

Though I guess if the judge orders restitution, he could reduce it by the $10 already paid.