The Cavalier Daily
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Students fall victim to bike theft problem

With over half a dozen bicycle thefts already reported to University Police this semester, the constant threat of bike larceny appears to go unabated.

In 1999, between three and seven bikes have been reported stolen from Grounds each month, according to the University Police Department. Three weeks into September, seven bikes already have been reported stolen to University Police.

According to University Police Sgt. Cassandra Carter, bicycles are stolen from on a weekly basis, at all hours.

"Even during the busiest times in the day, in the broad daylight when lots of people are around, we have reports of lost bikes," Carter said.

First-year house areas are particularly hard hit, she said.

"First-year dorms are targeted by unknown individuals that come into the University and look for bikes that have been left out or not secured properly," she added.

After a bicycle is stolen, there are several different options for the thief, Carter said.

"Most [bicycles] are stolen by juveniles under 17 who use and ride them themselves," she said. "Sometimes the [bike thief] will sell the bike to individuals in other parts of Charlottesville."

She added that most bike shops are willing to buy back bikes and often unintentionally accept stolen property.

If a theft is reported to the University Police, Carter said a hot sheet describing the bicycle and its serial number is sent to Charlottesville Police who sometimes are able to locate and recover the bike.

Bikes are targets for thieves off Grounds as well.

Third-year College student Gregg Helsey, a 14th Street resident, said someone came onto his property and stole his bike between 6:30 and 8 Monday morning.

"The bike was on our covered porch and couldn't even be seen from the street," Helsey said. "In the morning it was gone."

In addition to thefts, Performance Bicycle Shop Manager Matt Taylor said bike vandalism is also an expense for students.

"A lot of people just steal tires," Taylor said. "They don't do anything with them, but they just go and take them and throw them away because they don't have anything better to do.

"The cost of a front wheel and tire can run $60 or $70," he said. "Sometimes replacing the rear wheel can cost almost as much as the whole bike."

Because of wheel theft, the best bicycle security system is the use of both a U-lock and a cable lock to protect the bike and its most easily removed parts, he added.

Carter also said it is important to invest in quality locks but added, "nothing is foolproof."

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