£5k bicycle stolen in ‘unsettling’ burglary

A CYCLIST has described the terrifying moment he awoke to alarms sounding as a burglar broke into his garage during the early hours of the morning.

The man, who wished not to be named, said it took him just 45 seconds to jump out of bed and run to his garage.

But in that time the thief had already made-off with his £5,000 3T Exploro racing bike.

Police arrived minutes later and the force’s helicopter even joined in the manhunt, but they were unable to locate the intruder.

The owner said: “It’s unsettling. My children, who are both aged under 10, were asleep in bed. It was obviously a targeted attack.”

Officers at Avon and Somerset Police have now launched an investigation into the burglary, which happened at around 1.30am last Thursday in the Reedley Road area of Stoke Bishop.

There are only around five other bikes of the same model in Bristol.

It is described as having a black frame with a grey 3T logo on the seat tube, two bottle cages and a tool kit fitted to one of the main tubes.

It has an 11-speed Sram gear block, disc brakes, clipless pedals, 3T wheels with orange walled WTB Hiway 47mm tyres, disc brakes, plus 3T handlebars with black bar tape.

A force spokesperson said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time the incident took place, particularly any vehicles that were spotted in Ormerod Road.

“We are urging second-hand and cycle shop owners and members of cycling clubs to be vigilant and if they are offered the bike or see it to contact us, reference 5220011694.”