The brazen theft of a much loved red electric bike in broad daylight in Castlemaine last week highlights the need for bike and scooter users to take extra care to ensure their wheels are well secured when not in use, police say.
“It’s pretty distressing. It was my beautiful means of transport and I loved that red bike,” said distressed e-bike owner Castlemaine local Serna Everill whose electric bicycle was pinched.
Serena’s $4000 red Juiced electric bicycle was stolen from where she had left it beside the Castlemaine Community House last Wednesday afternoon.
Serena has momentarily left her e-bike, which she had owned since 2000, against a fence between the local Community House in Templeton Street and the adjacent car park – very close to the Castlemaine police station.
It didn’t take long before some eye witness reports came forward including a report of a tallish male wearing a hoody who was reportedly seen making off with the bike at about 1.30pm that day.
“It was completely brazen,” says Serena who reported the incident to police.
“It sounds like it was a tallish bloke with a beard and a hoody who was seen at about 1.30pm, and then another person reported seeing him at about 1.50pm heading down Johnstone Street.
The Mail contacted Castlemaine police to ask how common bike thefts are in the community and was quickly told they happen regularly.
“It’s something that goes on all the time – bike and scooter thefts,” a Castlemaine police member said.
“Quite often people leave their bikes out not locked up because they are trusting and my advice is not to be so trusting. Be wary. It’s different now to what it was 10 to 20 years ago.
“It’s the same with people leaving their cars unlocked. We get a lot of thefts from motor cars which happen because people have been trusting and left their car unlocked.
“My advice is definitely lock up your bike if possible. If it’s after dark leave it in a well lit area. Leave it in front of a CCTV camera if possible.
“Don’t leave it unlocked out on the footpath, make sure it is secure, and if you’re riding to work I’d be putting it inside out of view.
Anyone with information about the stolen red Juiced e-bike is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers, something which can be done anonymously on 1800 333 000.
“What I would love is for people to look out for my red bike,” Serena said.