GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- While bike riding is common in the summer months, so are bike thefts and joyrides.
12 bikes have been stolen in Green Bay since the beginning of the month, but Police Captain Kevin Warych says there are ways to prevent that, or at least better your chances of getting your bike back if it is lifted.
“We really want our people to lock up their bikes and get their bikes registered.”
Warych says in most cases, the bikes that are stolen are not kept for very long.
“It’s a crime of opportunity. They are quickly used, dumped and the suspects go on their merry way.”
When bikes are located, they are taken to the police department, where the process begins.
“The Green Bay Police Department collects these bikes and puts them in a bike garage. We do everything we can to return them to their owners.”
A bike that does not have a license or is not registered is nearly impossible to return to the owner.
Warych says simply going to the police station and registering your bike is free, and it will help you get your bike back if it is stolen.
The bikes that the police department are unable to return get auctioned off each year.
“This Saturday at the Brown County Fairgrounds starting at 8:00 a.m. will be the bike auction where people can go buy these bikes.”
He says the auction gives the bikes a good home, and gives them more room in their crowded garage.
