Found my stolen bike in Kings Cross Station - but help needed!!!

[Fergster]

Hello guys,

I'm sorry that my first post on here is this (i have lurked on and off for a while though).

But, anyway, a few weeks ago my pride and joy and heavily modified Giant Defy 2 2010 (with, believe it or not SRAM Red Groupset and Campagnolo Zonda Wheels) was stolen from work (two scumbags broke in and stole mine and two mates bikes).

So, by an amazing and almost unbelievable set of sheer coincidences, whilst walking through Kings Cross Station I spotted a nice looking bike out of the corner of my eye, on looking closer i realise IT'S MY BIKE!!!! Luckily i was with a mate so the guy, who couldn't really get out of it, agreed to come with us to get the police involved.

The police turn up, i get excited about being able to show them the frame reference number which i had registered and emailed to myself. To my surprise, the frame reference numbers didn't match (the last numbers did match, it's just the first 2 or 3 letters that don't) - i think, being the dunce that i am, i copied the frame ref from the bike receipt rather than turning the bike over (either that or i just plain copied the letters down wrong).

So, the police very reluctantly, and after much persuasion from myself and a PSCO (who was the only one who listened to me when i was explaining how i had modified the bike) - took the bike in for further investigation.

I know it is my bike 100% - there are no other Giant Defy 2's out there with the same Sram Red Groupset, Campy wheels and various other modifications (bar tape etc), but without the exact matching frame reference number what do you think the chances of me getting the bike back are???

I have some photos of the bike, taken a few days before it was nicked. I have a photo of the rear derailleur serial number (does anyone know if these are unique?), i have the unique reference numbers for the campy wheels, and i also have the unique locking wheelnut key that will release the wheels. I can also get receipts of all the various upgrades and additions.

To me, this seems like more than enough to prove the bike is mine. But do the police place everything on the bike frame ref?? This is the impression i seemed to get much to my frustration, despite waving a photo of the the bike at them!!! And explaining that if the wheelnut keys that i have at home unlock the wheels then it proves 100% it's my bike!!! Also, can anyone shed any light on Giant Defy frame numbers and which bit is unique? is it the numbers at the end or the first couple of letters?

Anyway, this has been a good vent - any comments or assistance much appreciated. I just hope i don't lose my bike because of my own stupidity for not getting the frame reference number right

Cheers

 

[Keith Oates]

Very lucky to have spotted the bike so I hope you can convince the Police of this. Unfortuantely I don't have any helpful info that I could pass onto you but perhaps someone else will be able to advise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fergster]

I know - cannot get over how lucky i was. A rare case of right place, right time...who would have thought?

I think i should probably do the lottery to see if this luck lasts

 

[The Jogger]

Can't you email Giant customer services to get an answer on the frame number.

 

[Linford]

Go back to the shop where it was bought new. They should have a record of it and the sale details

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I don't know about the rear mech, but I think Campag wheel reference numbers are indeed unique.

I would have thought even a single unique reference number on any item would have been enough - after all how is someone going to be able to come and explain where he/she got e.g. the wheel if not the bike from, and be able to get away from the fact it was stolen?

 

[gbb]

Found myself in a similar situation earlier this year, except I didn't have frame numbers or receipt, but did have photos of a homebrew bike, with particular details.
Police worked on the principle, they impounded the bike in case the 'other' owner turned up and then they'd either want specific proof from him...or want to know how he was in possession. In other words...its not mine in their eyes until its either not claimed...or is claimed by someone else, for about a month I think. Then I could reclaim it.
To complicate it...I hadn't even reported it stolen, but they simply filled in a retrospective report.

Its my opinion (no more)..with my experience, if no-one else turns up, added to your specific detailing on the bike, they will hand it over to you eventually.

 

[Chris S]

I'd be careful - I was a 100% certain that I'd just seen my bike on Gumtree, the sticker on the chainstay was even damaged in the same way. I went outside and had a look in my garage, my bike was still there.

 

[Fergster]

Found myself in a similar situation earlier this year, except I didn't have frame numbers or receipt, but did have photos of a homebrew bike, with particular details.
Police worked on the principle, they impounded the bike in case the 'other' owner turned up and then they'd either want specific proof from him...or want to know how he was in possession. In other words...its not mine in their eyes until its either not claimed...or is claimed by someone else, for about a month I think. Then I could reclaim it.
To complicate it...I hadn't even reported it stolen, but they simply filled in a retrospective report.

Its my opinion (no more)..with my experience, if no-one else turns up, added to your specific detailing on the bike, they will hand it over to you eventually.

Thats good to know gbb. I've got together a really good batch of evidence - reference numbers for the wheels, keys for the locking wheel skewers, photos showing various scratches on the frame, receipts of all the modifications, even a sample of the bar tape!!

I just need to get all this evidence to the police and get them to look past the incomplete frame number!!