Surly Steamroller

What happened

So, my bike was stolen a few weeks ago from my locked basement storage room. Right when I noticed it was missing, I called the police and looked for the bike on craigslist. To my surprise, it was for sale less the 12 hrs after it was stolen, although using a generic photo for the craigslist posting. Realizing quickly that the detective wasn't even going to return my calls, I set up a time to go see the bike with a friend and sure enough it was mine. Shortly after viewing it, I approached the seller about it being a stolen bike. He said his friend gave it to him as a trade because he was owed some money, so I would have to pay off his debt to get it back. I negotiated down a bit and after a week and a few hundred dollars, I got my bike back. I immediately moved it up to my 3 season storage space connected directly to my apartment which, including the gate to enter the property, had three locked doors between the general public and my bike. Unfortunately, I learned shortly after the bike disappeared for a second time, that these locks are pickable. I hadn't even ridden the bike again since I got it back the first time, so this is no doubt some kind of a racket. The thief knew I got my bike back and returned to steel it again. The bike means a lot to me since it was purchased weeks after my best friend passed away in a bike accident on Western and Logan in 2008. I've accepted that I wont see it again (and if I do, it's a great bonus), but hope that sharing this story informs others to be very careful about what to do with your bike once getting it back from a theft.

Bike details

Type

Fixed Gear / Track Bike

Color

Maroon

Size

62cm

Condition

Bull horn handlebars without grip tap, white flat BMX pedals, electric tape residue on frame where decals show brand and model.

Serial #

m7100977

Theft circumstances

Date

Nov 27, 2013

Lock type

Other

Locked to

Other situation, please describe below.

How locked

Other situation, please describe below.

How defeated

Other situation, please describe below.

Duration

5 days

Area

Bike was in a locked apartment or residence.

Police report #

HW549968