Bike Thefts on the Rise in Warmer Weather
Police are reminding residents to register their bikes and keep them locked. Greenline Wheels is selling bike locks at cost during May for Bike Safety Month.
As the temperature rises, the number of bike thefts in the area tends to as well.
In the past two weeks police have reported a number of stolen bicycles, and River Forest police sent a reminder to residents to keep their bikes locked and also to register them with the department.
When a bike is registered with a local police department, it's entered into a database and issued a sticker to identify the owner.
River Forest police chief Gregory Weiss said officers assigned to the midnight shift routinely see overhead garage doors left open, and will attempt to notify the owners to help prevent a crime.
"We understand that receiving a phone call in the middle of the night is not the best time, but avoiding a possible theft is a better alternative," Weiss said.
In Oak Park, bike rental shop Greenline Wheels is selling all bike locks at cost, for no profit, this month "so people can stock up and keep their bikes safe," general manager Abigail Miller said. They're also runnings PSAs in local media to help educate people.
READ MORE: Greenline Wheels Gears Up for Bike Safety Month
Here's some recent police reports from police in Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest.
Sunday, May 5
- Someone stole a green 20-inch Giant Transend men's bicycle from a yard in the 700 block of Carpenter. The loss was $500.
- Another bike was taken from a shed in the 200 block of N. Elmwood. It was a women's red and white Schwinn bike with an Ibert baby seat and a child's red and black helmet.
Wednesday, May 8
- A Berwyn resident's bike was stolen in the 900 block of S. Oak Park Avenue between 3 p.m. and 8:38 p.m. The bike was a dark green Cannon-Dale mountain bike that was locked to a bike rack. The estimated loss is $270.
- A 21-speed silver and black Giant bicycle was taken from a garage in the 1100 block of S. Cuyler. The estimated loss was about $400.
Thursday, May 9
- Someone stole a 26-inch men's Outfitters Wicked bicycle after cutting the cable lock that secured it to a bike rack in the 900 block of S. East. The estimated loss is $65.
Saturday, May 11
- A man was seen stealing an unlocked juvenile's bike in the 200 block of Lake Street. He was described as black, between 30 and 40, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds with black hair and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The estimated loss is $200.
- A K2T-Nine Crystal mountain bike was stolen near a train stop between 12:50 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. The bike was valued at $333 and was multicolored, including purple, pink, black and burgundy.
Monday, May 13
- A purple bicycle and a bike lock were stolen from a bike rack in the 800 block of North Boulevard. The estimated loss is $850.
- A blue men's 27-inch Schwinn bike was stolen in the 700 block of South Boulevard after someone broke the bike lock. The estimated loss is $150.
Tuesday, May 14
- A gray and blue men's 18-speed Raleigh Cadent bike that was locked to a bike rack was stolen in the 1100 block of South Boulevard. The estimated loss is $540.
Thursday, May 16
- A green boy's Next BMX bike was stolen in the 100 block of S. Kenilworth after it was left unlocked and unattended in the back yard. The estimated loss is $150.
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