Stolen Bike Listed On Craigslist, Stolen Back By Original Owner

When Danny Lesh had his bike stolen but the thief didn’t take possession of the $600 bicycle for long after the avid cyclist took the law into his own hands.

The bike was stolen when Danny’s friend borrowed and secured it with a simple cable lock which is easy to cut through with a pair of bolt cutters.

Less than a week after the theft Danny was surfing Craigslist in search of the bike when he spotted it with a listing price of just $100.

At first Mr. Lesh attempted to get D.C. police involved but they said it would have to wait, instead Danny took matters into his own hands. Lesh arranged to meet with the seller to look at the bike, the two met in an alley where Lesh took the bike for a “test ride.”

In a funny turn of events the guy who Lesh stole the bike back from called him repeatedly and even threatened to call the police if the bike wasn’t returned.

Talking with NBC Washington about his quick thinking decision Lesh said:

“I knew I had to do it that day, or else I’d never see the bike again.”

After he rode the bike he had owned since 1998 home Lesh, who knew he had the right bike because of a prominent sticker he placed himself, listed a warning on Craigslist to other buyers, noting that the man was selling stolen property. Lesh’s own ad specifically warned buyers to stay away from high end bikes being sold at discounted prices:

“Honestly… I couldn’t help feeling bad for all the other people he’d stolen bikes from.”

While Washington D.C. area police warn customers against stealing back their own property, perhaps Danny Lesh will disrupt at least one low life’s business for a little while.

[Photo by ©owenfinn16 – bike pictured is not the same Cannondale that was stolen from Danny Lesh]