Appeal after theft of an e-bike off front drive

MAN SHARES IMAGE AFTER RECENT INCIDENT

THE owner of a stolen electric bike says he is “gutted” after it was ridden off from his front drive in daylight.

Dave Butler had returned from a bike ride to his home in Stoke Golding and had momentarily gone inside to open the garage door when it was taken.

The 59-year-old said he was “greeted with fresh air” on May 7 instead of the Trek Powerfly 5 e-bike that he bought for £3,800 less than a year ago.

Dave said the bike had also been modified with a trip device worth £150 and is now appealing for its return.

CCTV footage from his next door neighbour shows the moment a man walked past the house on Main Street, before turning around and walking right on to the front drive.

He is then seen riding off with it in the direction he came from.

Dave said he was “distraught”

I only purchased it in July last year and I feel gutted that it was taken like that in broad daylight Dave Butler

when the incident happened and says he hopes by sharing the footage, “somebody might recognise the culprit”.

He said: “I think if someone knew of the lowlife they’d be able to recognise him.

“I only purchased it in July last year and I feel gutted that it was taken like that in broad daylight. It was very expensive so I hope it hasn’t been sold for next to nothing.

“I did a lot of motorcycle racing in the past. So at the grand age of 59 I thought a nice electric bike would help me out a great deal.

“I had literally only walked through the front door of the house, down to the kitchen to open the garage when I was greeted with fresh air.

“I don’t know if the man was just walking by and stole it on a whim but it’s probably not repeatable what I want to say to him.”

Dave said that while the bike is insured, he would still like it back and is urging anyone in the area with information to come forward.

He added: “When I saw the footage I thought it could be worth a shot and I hope someone in the local area can recognise him.”

Police confirmed the incident happened shortly before 4pm.

A statement from the force said: “On Saturday (May 7) we received a report that a Trek Powerfly e-bike had been taken from outside an address in Main Street, Stoke Golding. The e-bike was reported to have been taken at around 3.50pm. Anyone who has seen the bike or knows of its whereabouts can contact police, quoting incident 485 of 7 May.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101.