Victims of e-bike thefts in North County are warning riders to lock their bikes or invest in a GPS tracker after a string of costly losses in recent months.
Surveillance video shows a thief who stole a $750 e-bike from a 15-year-old boy at Palomar College this week. His mother, Donaji Ortiz, said her son did not lock up the bike because he assumed the key-start feature would deter thieves.
“It takes two minutes to steal the bike,” Ortiz said. “It was his birthday present from me.”
Thieves often bypass ignition systems by simply pedaling or rolling away with the bike.
Walter Pinto, who works at Bicycle Warehouse San Marcos, said secure U-locks and chain locks can prevent many thefts. Prices range from $70 to $110, and newer e-bike models may include GPS technology.
“If somebody steals your bicycle, you can just track it down through the app on your phone,” Pinto said.
Oceanside resident Steve Michaelson learned that lesson after his $3,000 e-bike was stolen in July while he ate breakfast at Coyote Café in Vista.
“Normally, I lock it. I didn’t that morning — I figured if I can see it, it’s not going anywhere, right?” Michaelson said. “It’s a heavy electric bike, like 80 pounds.”
But a thief jumped on the bike and rode off. The next day, Michaelson said, he saw it listed on OfferUp for just $800.
“They didn’t have a key to my bike, so they rode off with it. All they had to do was buy a new battery with a key and it’s ready to go,” he said.
Michaelson reported the theft to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, which detectives told him there has been a rash of e-bike thefts across North County. His bike is still being advertised for sale online and investigators are still trying to recover it.
“Lock your bike wherever you go,” Michaelson said. “Because there’s always going to be someone out there that’s looking to steal something from you — and that’s really kind of a sad state of affairs.”
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