For more than a month, the emails have come across the listservs, each with a similar story to share: a bike was stolen from a backyard or a garage. Granted, bicycle theft happens in any city, but there’s been an obvious and large rash of bicycle theft across our local area, from Crestwood to 16th Street Heights, Brightwood to Petworth. From the listserv emails alone, there must have been more than a dozen thefts.

There’s been a common theme in the thefts and the suspects, and the would-be thieves are presumed to be the same young men who have been seen in multiple incidents. Video from several home security cameras show what appears to be the same four teen boys (one often wearing the same distinct sweatshirt), sometimes two, once five… they approach backyards through alleys and look over fences. They’ve been seen jumping fences and taking bikes, a few times they’ve been thwarted by bike locks or people yelling out of windows.

Recently, residents have reported 4 young men checking car doors and going through cars when they find one open. It’s worth reiterating to always ensure you don’t leave packages, bags or other items in sight inside your car. Lock them up in a trunk, or bring them inside.

The four youth that I’ve seen in multiple security videos also showed up in the alley behind where I live. One jumped our fence, entered our backyard and actually opened the outside basement door (which I stupidly left unlocked after watering the yard earlier in the day) to enter our basement. Luckily, the interior door was locked, and there wasn’t anything of value for the would-be curiousity-seeker / thief to find. All of this was captured on video. They’ve jumped our fence twice (and we don’t even have bikes…). Thefts have occurred on Gallatin, Allison, Webster, Varnum, 7th Street, Grant Circle, Farragut, 3rd Street, 5th Street, Delafield… it’s a very specific area, across both sides of Georgia Avenue.

According to MPD, they’re aware of the burglaries. So far, none have been violent. Video from some of the incidents have been given to MPD — the assumption being MPD may know some of the youth shown taking the bikes and be able to intervene. (Petworth News is not sharing descriptions because the best thing you can do as a reader is to lock up your stuff, not be on the lookout for four young kids.)

“As is probably no surprise to you, some of the suspects are familiar to my team,” said MPD Fourth District Commander Randy Griffin. “While the Fourth District detectives continue to investigate the cases, we encourage everyone to secure their homes by locking their doors and windows and by taking advantage of surveillance cameras and alarms. We also suggest that everyone safeguards all valuables within their property.”

A bike stolen in Petworth showed up on the OfferUp website a couple hours later.

The bikes are often quickly sold on sites like Facebook or OfferUp. In fact, one particular account on OfferUp was seen selling a bike stolen from the Grant Circle area the same day, with a person in a photo wearing the same clothing seen in the security video capturing the theft. Sometimes the bikes are stolen, then left in other alleys around the area to pick up later.

A local retired MPD detective shared the following tips:

Always secure your bike, via U-lock and chain as thick as you can find. Even if the bike is on your front porch, make sure it is secure at all times.
When securing your bikes try to lock them to something that fixed and secured to the ground, cemented and solid as possible.
Never think that it will not happen to you, because the minute you forget to lock your bike, the criminal will steal your property. Assume the worst case scenario if you don’t lock your bike. Remember to protect your investment. At the very least, if it is stolen you will feel ok, knowing that you did everything in your power to safeguard your property.

It sounds like some enterprising and bored teens found a way to make money during the quarantine, albeit through illegal means. There used to be a great non-profit called DC Community Carrot that offered entrepreneurship classes and mentorship to direct that energy to something useful. It seems that program has ended unfortunately. This is a case where intervention and redirection could have long-term positive effects.

Remember, it’s not your fault if you are the victim of theft… but might as well not make it easier for the criminal. Lock up your stuff, take it inside, get a security camera to be aware, and be safe.