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Bike Theft

Thief Steals Special Needs Tandem Bike, Cops Ask for Help Recovering It

buddybike_shelley_riding_copy_small.jpgThanks to a thief, one SF girl can't have fun on her Buddy Bike like this kid. Photo: SF Citizen.

I don't have particularly strong feelings about notions of Karma or Hell, but if there is something to them, I know a particular bike thief is going to have it rough come judgment time.

The San Francisco Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a suspect they can only describe as a white male, 5’ 8”- 5’ 10” tall, 25-30 years old, with a shaved head, last
seen wearing dark clothing, who stole a bicycle that belonged to a special needs child. 

According to the SFPD:

On May 16th, 2010, at approximately 4:30am, the suspect entered the gated parking lot of an apartment complex located on the 1000 block of Northpoint St. The suspect stole the custom bicycle and rode it out of the parking garage. The bicycle is manufactured by BuddyBike. It is unique in that only three other BuddyBikes are in San Francisco and only 450 exist in the United States. 

The manufacturer describes this bicycle as an "inline tandem bicycle that places the stroker in the front seat while the rear rider controls the steering…making it especially beneficial for special needs children who otherwise would not be able to experience the thrill of riding a bicycle." The bicycle belongs to a 9 year old child who uses it weekly with her family. The bicycle is identical to the attached photo.  Anyone with information is urged to contact the Confidential Tip Line, 415-575-4444.

So keep an eye out on Craigslist, eBay and your local bike shop and let us know if you find anything (right after you call the Tip Line, of course).

Bike_buddy_image.jpgThe Bike Buddy stolen in SF was identical to the one in this photo, courtesy SFPD.

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