I think calling the police was the right call. You may have inconvenienced the owner one night, but if the bike got stolen they would be inconvenienced more than that.
2012-08-28 18:04:26
8
Lost/stolen Roadmaster Oakland.
On my way home last night at about 1:30, there was a very cheap, but brand new looking Roadmaster leaning on a wall at an intersection. Oddly enough, it had a bike computer.
A cable combination lock was around the seatpost, where it would be stowed for traveling. I looked around to see if it belonged to anyone, but there was no sign of that. I'm guessing it was picked up from somewhere else and joy ridden to where it was.
Cruising around the block and deciding what to do, some drunk young woman on the sidewalk yelled at me "Gimme aride on your bike! He parked the car SOOOO f*cking far away!"
So I picked it up and took it home. Phoned 9-1-1 and the police came got it.
There is some chance the owner was in a nearby bar, but I figured that someone was likely to grab the bike, It it was legit there, the person would have a better good chance of getting it back if I took it than some random drunk.
Decided to call the cops in c ase someone else was calling saying "My bike was just stolen from this corner!"
Right not, I think I would have been better off NOT calling the police (which ould have made it another chapter in my life of crime of course.)
It seems doubtful the owner would have gotten it back if they called last night. It strikes me as unlikely for them get it back from the police without my help even now.
Last time I saw an abandoned-looking bike in Oakland, I din't take it home. The owner posted here the next day, but it was gone form that particular corner.
2012-08-28 16:26:03
You could post a sign.
"Was your Roadmaster bike leaning against this pole last night?
It hasn't been stolen, it is in police custody."
2012-08-28 18:09:26
I agree with Marko, and Pbeaver's idea is awesome.
If my bike were stolen, or likely to be stolen (your description sounded like it was in imminent danger!), I'd rather it were retrievable than lost and gone forever.
(So if you see a Specialized Cirrus (black and white cross) with rear rack + fenders + rhinestones and sparkle stickers all over it, and it's not locked properly, please confiscate it unless it's got me sitting on it!)
2012-08-28 19:12:36
I am 99% certain I know to whom this bike belongs.
2012-08-28 19:46:58
At least this didn't happen: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/92661/Student-arrested-for-being-honest
2012-08-28 19:54:01
@joeframbach
Yeah, various times talking with the 9-1-1 dispatcher and the police, they were pretty much scolding me for taking someone's property.
I had to say "Look, I know what a stolen bike looks like," a couple of times.
Next time, I'll just post here.
2012-08-28 20:06:20
I confirmed that this was not my friends bicycle. The owner is still out there.
2012-08-28 20:32:50