Successfully Recovered Stolen Bicycles - GPS Tracking Leads to Their Recovery from the Cellar
In the early hours of May 22nd, a 21-year-old woman from Essen reported the theft of her high-value Pedelec from a metal fence in the entrance of "An St. Stephan" Street. The Pedelec, fitted with a GPS tracker, led the Essen Police on a remarkable recovery mission.
The GPS tracker, activated by the movement of the stolen bicycle, alerted the authorities and guided them to a basement filled with numerous bicycles on Burggrafenstraße. The Pedelec was recovered from this basement, and further investigation revealed another unlocked basement storage room containing even more bicycles.
The Essen Police, with the assistance of the Bicycle Investigation Group, collected and stored a total of 37 bicycles from the two basement rooms and surrounding residential buildings. The recovery of the Pedelec was aided by activating an acoustic signal, which is a common feature in GPS trackers for bicycles.
The Bicycle Investigation Group is currently investigating multiple suspicions of aggravated theft in the area. They are encouraging the use of hidden GPS trackers for bicycles, as they can significantly aid in the recovery of stolen bicycles. Providing the frame number is crucial for the identification and return of a stolen bicycle.
The Essen Police are seeking any tips, observations, and assistance from the public. They are reminding the public to provide details of their bicycle, especially the frame number and unique features, in case of theft. The recovery of the Pedelec serves as a reminder of the importance of securing bicycles and using GPS trackers for added protection.
Six of the recovered bicycles, including the stolen Pedelec, are wanted for investigation. A search warrant was issued for the relevant basement area by the Essen Public Prosecutor's Office. The Pedelec was secured with a folding lock, which was unfortunately not enough to deter the thieves.
The Bicycle Investigation Group is urging cyclists to take extra precautions to secure their bicycles and to consider the use of GPS trackers for added peace of mind. The recovery of the Pedelec is a testament to the effectiveness of these measures in the fight against bicycle theft.
