This is probably the happiest Capitol Hill bike theft story you’ll ever read. Recently, CHS learned of yet another bike stolen on the Hill. Turns out, the “featured artist” at our co-working space Office Nomads had her very nice and probably not cheap bike ripped off. Sadly, nothing new there. The good part comes with what happened next. Here’s the strange and wonderful tale of how artist Cleo got her bike back, some fair bit of warning to anybody who encounters the gentleman described below and a picture of the happy reunion. Also, wow, big thanks to the conscientious buyer who did the research to find out she had acquired somebody else’s prized ride.

Oh my goodness….

I cannot believe my stolen bike was seriously 

a) sold on Craigslist

b) searched for online by said purchaser who found my ad on Portland’s Bike Forum then 

c) returned to me today…….

(Humanity, you may have a winning chance after all. Whoa….)

– Cleo, the cynic

  (Thank you, Karen, so much!)

Here are some reunion photos:  XXX

Her description of the thief was:

A 6 ft. tall man who looked like George Michael (“baby” face, good looking, captain of the football team/homecoming king type.)  He had an average build, definitely not homeless looking but was very friendly, smiley and almost charismatic.  He had a vehicle but did not park close enough to see what kind/type it was or its license plate #.  He used a GPS, was clueless about directions and was unfamiliar with Seattle.  He said he lived on Sand Point Way in North Seattle and was from the Portland area.  (He called it Sandy Point way…)  He gave a first name, but she has since forgotten it.  His story was that the bike was his girlfriend’s but that she was pregnant and going to buy a car with the money.  All a big story, I’m sure.  The only other distinguishing thing about him was apparently a gauged earring in his left ear that looked like a dark curled spike.  She passed on a cell phone #, which he no longer seems to answer.   

This is all FYI for anybody buying a “used” bike online.  (If it seems suspiciously low-priced, it could very well be stolen.)

Meanwhile, here’s another first-person account of crime on the Hill that didn’t end too badly as a Stranger staffer was nearly mugged Wednesday night. Both incidents reveal some of the crap that goes along with life in the city — and some of the color. But, please, Kelly O, call the cops next time.