City’s unclaimed bikes going to auction

Need a bicycle? Missing a bicycle? The city of Maricopa will be holding its first auction of unclaimed bicycles on June 6.

According to Sgt. Steve Judd, there are “in the neighborhood of 50 or more bicycles going to auction.” The majority of the bikes came into the possession of the Maricopa Police Department as found property. Each bike was held for a minimum of 90 days to enable owners to claim them. Since no one claimed them, and the owners are unknown, the bikes will now go to auction.

The auction will be held on June 6 at Sierra Auctions, 3520 NW Grand Ave. in Phoenix. For further details, call 602-242-7121.

Public Safety Director Patrick Melvin noted at this week’s Public Safety advisory committee meeting that the police department will be doing more to “educate citizens about leaving bikes outside overnight.” Leaving property, such as bicycles, outside and unattended is an open invitation to thieves.

The police department recommends that residents make a list of the serial numbers of property such as televisions, stereo equipment, bikes, DVD players, computers, etc., and store the list in a safe place such as a safety deposit box. In the event of theft, this list can be forwarded to the police and an insurance company.

Serial numbers of stolen property can then be entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center. Information entered into this system assists law enforcement agencies in locating and returning stolen property to its rightful owners.

File photo