Bike theft is a continuing problem in Eugene. Year to date, 642 bikes have been reported stolen however, only 95 have been recovered. EPD patrol officers and detectives will place their changing supply of bait bikes at various locations throughout the year to combat this problem and arrest those who are responsible.
On November 16, police officers conducted a short bike theft sting that quickly attracted some takers. At approximately 11:30 p.m., officers used a ‘bait bike,’ placing a bike in areas of the city where property crimes have been problematic. The bike was left unattended and a man, later identified as Randy Paul Miles, age 54, took the bike and began to ride it away. Officers quickly contacted him and he was charged with Theft in the Second Degree. (Case 1619391)
On November 17 at about 12:12 a.m., a man, later identified as Mark Christian Dalby, age 46, placed his bike next to the bait bike and walked off with the bait bike. Officers contacted him and charged him with Theft in the Second Degree. (Case 1619394)
EPD Crime Prevention offers these prevention tips:
Register your bike and get our new “Is this A Bait Bike” decal (PDF Link)
Registering your bicycle records detailed information that is essential for recovery and return to the owner. Many police reports fail to contain this detailed information, most importantly, the unique serial number. Bike registration attempts to gather and record this important information in advance. The Eugene Police Department has offered bike registration since the early 1990s. Bike registration is free to Eugene City residents and can be done on-line at: http://www.eugene-or.gov/951/Bicycle-Safety-Theft-Prevention Our website further provides referral to Free National Bike registries for UO Students and those who live outside Eugene.
Other tips include:
- Lock your bike, every time. Use a good quality hardened steel u-lock. Cable locks can be good secondary locks but should not be your primary lock.
- Don’t leave your bike locked and unattended for extended periods of time
- Lock your bike inside your garage the same way you would on the street
- Visit our website for more tips and information, including bike locking graphics at: http://www.eugene-or.gov/951/Bicycle-Safety-Theft-Prevention
What to do if your bike is stolen?
Report it right away and provide as much detail as possible. This type of report can be filed on-line at: http://ceapps.eugene-or.gov/epdcoplogic/