Here’s an odd local story.

A 21-year old cyclist was riding through Centerline just after midnight when a teen with a toy gun tried stealing his bike.

According to the Free Press, the thief had second thoughts and said, “I don’t want it.”

Don’t want it? Not your color? The clip-in pedals weren’t compatible with your cycling shoes? You don’t steal department store bikes?

The 19-year old was later arrested by Warren Police for attempted armed robbery — a felony — and could face some serious prison time.

Be careful out there and keep riding ugly bikes.

The Free Press is reporting that the Ferndale Police Department arrested a suspected bike thief:

David Vincent McArthur, 36, a Ferndale resident, is to be arraigned on a four-year felony — larceny from a building; in this case, a garage — as well as on two counts of simple larceny, in the thefts of three bicycles within the span of about an hour, police said.

“Community policing is something that’s always been this department’s philosophy. We try to be in touch with what’s going on in the neighborhoods,” Lt. William Wilson said.

“So, we think going after a bike thief is just as important as nailing a bank robber, in terms of our residents’ feeling of security in their homes,” Wilson said.

The Daily Tribune also covered the story, adding:

“We suspect he has a drug habit and was stealing the bikes to trade them for small amounts of drugs,” said Ferndale police Lt. William Wilson.

Police report that 10 bicycles have been stolen in the city this month.

The man also is suspected of stealing bikes in Pleasant Ridge and Hazel Park.

Thanks to the Ferndale Police for taking bike theft seriously.

It’s also great to see that Ferndale has Police Mountain Bike officers on patrol. There’s perhaps no better way for police to understand traffic issues facing cyclists than by having officers experience them first-hand.

Both the Free Press and Daily Tribune are reporting on Ferndale Police efforts to catch bicycle thieves.

According to the Tribune:

Police have taken nearly 20 reports of stolen bicycles in the past six weeks. However, many such thefts aren’t reported and police believe the actual number of bike thefts in Ferndale is much higher.

“Basically they are stealing bikes to sell them for quick money,” Wilson said. “The suspects are a combination of adults who might have drug habits to support, and kids.”

One of their responses is to leave an unlocked bike under police surveillance. If someone takes the bicycle, the police can catch the thief. According to the Tribune it took 2 hours before the decoy was stolen by Browner, which doesn’t sound all that efficient.

Perhaps a better solution is finding where these stolen bikes are going and being re-sold to consumers. If there was less of market for stolen bikes, fewer might get taken.

Years ago the Royal Oak Police did just that and shutdown a bicycle shop on Eleven Mile Road that was selling stolen bikes.

Here are some bike-related headlines from the past couple days.

Ghost Bike Driver Waives Exam

Kimberly Dancy waived her rights to an exam this week.  Dancy is accused of the hit-and-run accident on Woodward that killed a Detroit bicyclist.

Dancy’s waiving of her preliminary exam in Royal Oak’s 44th District Court amounts to “a concession that there was probably cause” for the felony charges, Royal Oak City Attorney Dave Gillam said.

Earlier this month, she dropped her lawsuit against the Royal Oak police that sought to force the return of her Jeep Liberty, Gillam said.

Dancy is going before Oakland County Circuit Judge Lisa Gorcyca on Monday.

This story was even picked up in the Chicago Tribune.

Polly Ann Trail Upgrade

The Polly Ann Trail is being extended in Orion Township as  we reported earlier (though it appears the costs have changed.)

Jimmy Carter gets Replacements for his Stolen Bikes

Someone recently stole Former President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter’s bikes in Atlanta.  On the Daily Show this week, Jon Stewart presented Carter with two new bikes.  It was great watching his genuine gratefulness.

Kryptonite just released their Top 10 Worst Cities for Bike Theft and Detroit is not on the list. While I’ve not experienced any theft or attempted theft, others have. Nonetheless, here’s the list:

1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Chicago, IL
3. New York City, NY
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Tucson, AZ (tie)
Portland, OR (tie)
7. Denver, CO
8. New Haven, CT
9. Cambridge, MA
10. Austin, TX