Crime & Safety
Bike Thief Outwits Seller, Leaves 'His Car' for Collateral During Test Ride
Seller met his prospective buyer through Craigslist.
Grand theft of a bicycle was reported to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department last week by a man who had posted his $2,100 bike for sale on Craigslist.
The seller told police that he met Friday at Royce Street near Nicholson Avenue with a prospective buyer, who seemed well versed in bike terminology and asked to take it for a test ride.
As collateral, the "buyer" left his car keys with the seller, police said.
When he did not return, the bike owner called the would-be buyer, only to learn the cell number was disconnected, police said.
And when he tried to use the keys to open the car to which the man had gestured and indicated was his -- they did not work.
The stolen bike is described as 2009 red and black, specialized Roubaix compact.