Boulder’s Bike Theft Issue

A known criminal in Boulder County will be arrested for bike theft after aiding James Kramer, arrested Sept. 12 2011. A law enforcement officer who recognized Kramer’s accomplice for previous charges of theft, violence and sexual assault identified the accomplice pictured on CU-Boulder Police Department’s press release Sept. 15.  The arrest warrant will be issued in the next couple of days and his name has not been released. 
 

Kramer and his accomplice attempted to sell a unique bike to Full Cycle Bike Shop located at 1795 Pearl Street in Boulder but were chased by the bike shop clerks, Boulder police and CU police to 1837 19^th street. Kramer, 27, has a lengthy criminal record that police recognized from charges of theft, underage drinking and drug use.
 

Commander Axmacher of CU-Boulder Police Department spoke to a journalism class Sept. 29 to share information about bike theft on campus and in Boulder. Overtime, bike theft appears to be the number one crime reported on campus and the number of bike thefts has remained steady over the years. 288 bikes were stolen in the 2010 to 2011 school year. 63 have been stolen in the 2011 to 2012 school year so far. 
 

Axmacher reported that 10 percent to 20 percent of stolen bikes are reunited with their owner. 
 

Axmacher explained to students “most of the bike thefts are a result of a cut cable lock. There is no such thing as a bike lock that cannot be defeated.” The key to getting bikes back is the serial number because it allows police and pawnshops to identify a bike and identify the rightful owner. 
 

If there is a trend, bikes are usually stolen from bike racks closer to roadways and parking lots. Thieves typically use a cable cutter to cut through a cable lock around a bike then their accomplice returns later to take the bike away. Most thieves sell bikes to pawn shops or ship the bikes out of state. Richard Gonzales, arrested in 2010, will serve nine years in prison for bike theft.  
 

Axmacher commented bike theft occurs because “it’s an economic problem, bikes are too easy to steal and the risk is worth it. You and I go to work and he goes to steal a couple bikes. We both end the day with a couple hundred bucks in our pockets.” 

Students are advised to register their bikes on campus by the University Memorial Center. Students should document any personalization of their bike including stickers and scratches. A photograph and serial number will help police reunite a student with their stolen bike. No matter the time frame, Axmacher encouraged students to report a stolen bike because it could lead to their stolen bike or to a bigger problem.

CU junior, Spencer Graham said he knows several students whose bikes have been stolen. He uses “the thickest and biggest U lock out there” to lock up his bike on campus. 

Tim Moore, Full Cycle On the Hill bike shop clerk, expressed more bike thefts have been reported to his shop this year than ever before. Most thieves use the Full Cycle on Pearl Street for bike repairs and sales. “Some sort of security needs to be added to the racks on campus,” he said.