Why You Shouldn’t Allow Anyone To Test Drive Your Bike

There’s a bike thief on the loose who is using Craigslist to steal motorcycles from unsuspecting sellers and police are warning the suspect is armed and has shot at least one victim in the leg.   Police now have a photo of the suspect and are asking for your help to catch him.  Police hope enough people will share his image on social media that someone will recognize him and report him to the authorities.

Share this photo on your social media feed and help catch this dangerous bike thief before he hurts someone else

Share this photo on your social media feed and help catch this dangerous bike thief before he hurts someone else

The latest theft took place in Gallatin Tennessee on Feb 19th when the suspect and an accomplice showed up at a residence on Stonehouse Drive when the victim advertised the sale of a 2005 Harley-Davidson Road Glide on Craigslist.

The suspect took the vehicle on a test drive but never returned.  Another person, who had been hiding in the suspect’s 2004-05 black GMC Yukon or Denali, got into the driver’s seat and fled the victim’s residence.

Police say the same suspect is involved in three other Craigslist thefts dating back to earlier 2013 in Gallatin, Bowling Green KY and Lafayette, TN.

In Bowling Green the suspect shot the owner of the stolen motorcycle after he refused to allow him to take the bike for a test drive.

flash-meIf you’re selling your bike online, Police recommend not showing the bike at your home and don’t take it to a parking lot, or other deserted location to show the vehicle, and don’t go alone.  Police say that thieves and con artists will use excuses such as “I don’t get off work until 9pm” or they’ll ask you to meet them in a parking lot of a motorcycle dealer but “after hours” hoping you won’t realize the business is closed.

The best way to deter thieves is to suggest meeting in the parking lot of the local fire department or police station, or a local shopping center where a sheriff’s department substation is located.  Also, never allow anyone to test drive the motorcycle if you have the slightest suspicion they’re not legitimate.  Ask to keep their driver’s license and make sure the photo matches and they have more than one form of identification.

If you have any information, contact Gallatin Tennessee Police Department at 615-452-1313.

Police are looking for the man who took this 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle for a test drive last month and never returned. / Source: Gallatin Police Department

Police are looking for the man who took this 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle for a test drive last month and never returned. / Source: Gallatin Police Department

The post Why You Shouldn’t Allow Anyone To Test Drive Your Bike appeared first on USRiderNews.

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