£5k reward for naming of bike thief
A bizarre message which appears to congratulate a bike thief on his handiwork is being left on lamp posts around Bath.
The unusual poster, which is written by the victim of a recent bike theft, commends the thief for his ingenious method.
There is also a £5,000 reward up for grabs, but this does come with conditions.
The money will only be made available if someone comes forward with information that could lead to the prosecution of the bike thief, NOT for the return of the bike.
The anonymous victim writes: “Well played buddy. Round one is surely yours. I locked my bike to a metal railing outside my front door and you saw what I should have noticed. That with a bit of handiwork it is feasible to remove the entire metal banister my bike was attached to and steal my bike. Congratulations. It’s a lovely machine and hope you have enjoyed riding it. If you need a cheap charger let me know.”
The bike was a Merida Eone-sixty 900E which costs around £5,000.
It was taken from outside the victim’s house on Lansdown Grove Road between the evening of Friday, June 29 and the morning of Saturday, June 30.
The victim said: “I feel a bit violated and disrespected. I trust people. I think people are good and you Mr Thief mildly shook that world view for a split second.
“But I am not powerless to make this whole little event a force for good and learning as you will see.”
This is where the £5,000 reward comes in. The victim offers up an interesting proposition.
They said: “Game recognises game. So I hope you enjoy my choice of actions in this moment as I have an interesting conundrum for all your friends.
“If they (or anyone else for that matter) provides information which leads to your prosecution, I will pay them anonymously £5,000.
“Of course I hope to get my bike back too. But to be clear, the £5,000 reward is for your prosecution.”
The bike’s owner goes on to say he thinks he even have seen the thief scoping out his bike.
The victim doesn’t just leave it there, however. The bid to seduce any perspective snitch into accepting the offer tempts them with the possibility of turning their life around with the cash being the means to pay for travel or a college course.
The victim does make the point, however, that should his bike be returned by the thief, the reward will no longer be up for grabs.
The poster reads: “If my bike magically returns by Tuesday, July 10 the reward for your prosecution will also magically disappear too. If the bike does not re-appear by that date this deal expires, and the reward gets bigger.”
Avon and Somerset Constabulary is investigating the theft.
A spokeswoman said: “An image of the bike has been circulated to the neighbourhood beat team so they can look out for it.”
If you would like to apply for the victim’s £5,000 reward, email stolenbikereward1@gmail.com n The bike had not been returned as we went to press on Wednesday July 11.