'I ain't givin' up that easy': Guy finds bike theft in progress and takes matters into his own hands

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Dec 17, 2022 11:00 AM EST

Getting around New York City can be quite easy on a bike to whisk you from place to place. But clearly they are highly coveted items, as this man discovered when he ran into a bike theft in progress!

A user who goes by Malcolm816 discovered that he'd left his bike carefully locked near his office in Times Square. But when he was ready to ride home, he found that someone else had placed a huge lock on his cycle. What could that possibly mean? To Malcolm816, it was a sure sign that his bike was in the middle of being stolen, so he hatched a plan to get the lock off. It didn't quite go as planned though…scroll down to check out the whole saga, plus advice from folks in the comments section. 

After that, read about one bride who was completely distraught that her wedding photographer was holding on to her photos, and took to social media to try and get them back. 

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  • 01
    Bicycle - S stigmawizard You should have one-upped him and added like 60 more locks.
    via Murillo de Paula on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - Came out of my office in Times Square to find someone locked my bike, so they could steal it later. This is what happened... malcolm816 1,491,704 Views Give Emerald
    via malcolm816
  • 03
    Organism - After a long day at work in Times Square, I find my bike locked with a mysterious Kryptonite U-lock. It's an old trick. The thief will come back in the dead of night, release their lock, and pop my chain with a bolt- cutter. But I ain't givin' up that easy.
    via malcolm816
  • 04
    Wheel - 6 O
    via malcolm816
  • 05
    Organism - I walk to the nearest hardware store and pay $17.00 for a hand saw. I stop the first NYPD's I see, let them know what I'm about to do, and get to sawing. (The cops laughed, sympathetically, and wished me luck.)
    via malcolm816
  • 06

    He begins sawing away at the lock...

    Bicycle - ARUC
    via malcolm816
  • 07
    Font - 25 mins in. I can't believe it's working! It's hard work, but the worst part are all the tourists stopping and taking pictures of me while I "steal" my own bike. They gasp to one another, "OMG is that a bike thief?!" | get so tired of it, I put my headphones in. But that doesn't stop three different people from confronting me, taking my picture, and complaining to the cops I've already talked to.
    via malcolm816
  • 08

    Success!

    Bicycle - KRYPTONITE EVOLUTION
    via malcolm816
  • 09
    Sky - 90 mins later. Muscles and joints are toast. I'm at my wits' end with all the tourist BS. BUT VICTORY IS MINE. НАНАНАНАНАНАНАНАНАНА
    via malcolm816
  • 10

    Then, he left a final parting note for the thief to find when they returned.

    Motor vehicle - EAT A D
    via malcolm816
  • 11
    Sky - And, finally, a note to the would-be thief when they return tonight.
    via malcolm816
  • 12

    Victory screech! This bike looks very classy now that it's been ripped from the street.

    Bicycle - Here she is safe at home. WIREL
    via malcolm816
  • 13

    Commenters loved the story, but some had their doubts about this bike.

    Sky - E Eanikran that's when you hide and wait for him to show up, then once he unlocks the lock you grab him and put it around his neck and take the key
    via malcolm816
  • 14
    Sky - IHaventFoundAUsernamelLikeYet did we just watch someone steal a bike?
    via malcolm816
  • 15
    Sky - D dubitable So what you do is put a lock on someone else's bike, tell the cops it's your bike and saw their lock off?
    via malcolm816
  • 16
    Sky - H howdoiscience There's a special place in hreserved for bike thieves.
    via malcolm816
  • 17
    Font - M max100p I'm obligated to tell you that you can freeze locks off in 30 seconds with upside down compressed air and a generous hammer tap. (google it)
    via malcolm816
  • 18
    Sky - BurntMomWarfare Plot twist, bike looked just like OP's, but was not his.
    via malcolm816
  • 19
    Brown - S stigmawizard You should have one-upped him and added like 60 more locks.
    via malcolm816
  • 20
    Brown - owlest why did they use a Kryptonite lock? so Superman cant open it?
    via malcolm816
  • 21
    Sky - Shooter McGavinsBreakfast I used an angle grinder to cut a lock in busy Bath City centre. Noone said a word to me.
    via malcolm816
  • 22
    Sky - Rraggingmuppet Plot twist. OP gets home and realises it is not his bike.
    via malcolm816
  • 23
    Gesture - thedevil Most officers have access to bolt cutters that could have saved you a ton of time, why didn't they help you? Also picking the lock.
    via malcolm816
  • 24
    Font - P Pogonophile You sure they weren't just being a ? Cause that bike doesn't look like it's worth the trouble of going back and stealing.
    via malcolm816
  • 25
    Font - capcanada Man people are so rude, i went to get my bike last night and someone stole it and left a note saying eat a ď
    via malcolm816
  • 26
    Sky - G It is actually comforting to know people will speak up and say something to you. If it were the other guy you would be thankful to them. grimfandango
    via malcolm816
  • 27
    Font - isera Police stations in NYC usually have bolt cutters and will cut the lock for you. Source: locked my bike and lost the key.
    via malcolm816
  • 28
    Gesture - R rockidr4 What I've learned today is that as long as you tell the cops that you're stopping someone else from stealing your bike, you can steal a bike
    via malcolm816
  • 29
    Sky - B boojay Why not steal it right away?
    via malcolm816
  • 30
    Font - TI, flyingsolow You were... annoyed... that people were confronting you because you looked like you were stealing a bike?? F
    via malcolm816

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stolen story new york bike thief police
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