Dirt bikes worth thousands of dollars are being stolen across Maryland, some turning up on Baltimore City streets.
The popularity of dirt bikes is also fueling theft. Bike owners worry thieves are becoming bolder and more aggressive. Motocross champion John Kernan, of Montgomery County, had two of his dirtbikes, which were worth $25,000, stolen from his home.
"It was well executed," Kernan said.
Devastated, he almost quit the sport he enjoys.
Protecting her family's safety, a Frederick County woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said thieves broke into a locked barn and took four dirt bikes.
"There's definitely some organization to the crime," she said. "It has definitely made us more fearful. It has also been scary."
Chaining and locking down the bikes doesn't stop the crime.
"I did everything you're supposed to do and then some. The garage was locked, the bikes were locked together, the bikes have locks so you can't roll them, and they're still gone," Kernan said.
Not even Baltimore is immune as thieves have targeted a city impound lot several times and successfully stole some bikes. The latest incident on May 24 was captured by security cameras. Ten people broke in to a dirt bike pen. Six of them were arrested.
"This guy here, he grabs this bike and drives it out of the yard," Baltimore City Department of Transportation Towing Division Chief Charles Baker said, referring to surveillance video.
Three other bikes were also taken from a lot where police store bikes that were confiscated for illegal riding.
Baker said an unarmed security guard tried to stop the thefts.
"The young adult lifted his shirt and showed a gun. The security officer backed off," Baker said.
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Set them up
ReplyDeleteDrug dealers in Baltimore use the dirt bikes to sell their wares. The bikes are perfect for running from police in a tight urban environment.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to my brother about 5 years ago. They went into his garage and stole them. He watched Craig's list every day for the entire state of Maryland and sure enough they were listed about 4 months later. The police were able to recover the bikes but they had been sold before the kid (16) that had listed them had purchased them so they couldn't get original theif.
ReplyDeleteSO they go to Baltimore Police impound and show guns to steal dirt bikes, and we are suppose to think dont hurt these poor kids, they are college worth and will one day be an asset to our community. They are thugs, and in the jungle would learn to take over other tribes. They ALL cant be saved, and if you keep telling them we owe them, none of them will.
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ReplyDeleteCharm City and environs!
Dirt bikes stolen by dirt bags.
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