Neighborhood rallies to stop bike thefts - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- Residents are calling it an invasion of privacy and they're on edge after more than half a dozen bikes have been stolen in the past month.

Mike Lewis has had two bikes stolen. He says, "It makes you kind of paranoid, it really does. It's awful that it has to be that way. You shouldn't have to worry about where your stuff is going to wind up if you leave it on your porch."

For residents of Rocky Creek Estates, that's exactly the case. The most recent victim had her bike stolen Wednesday night.

Maria Medina explains, "We came over here to check if it was here and we couldn't see it and we went home to check in my shed and it wasn't there and we came around and told the guys there and they didn't see it."

Some of the bikes have been locked up and others haven't but residents like Lewis say it shouldn't be a problem.

Lewis says, "The ones that worry me are the little kids that can't get their bikes replaced, I mean this is what they do all day is ride their bike around here. And if you have to park it and lock it up every time and it takes away half your day."

Arnella Moore had her bike stolen too. She says, "It's kind of sad because all of my friends are riding their bikes and then here's me running and I have nothing else to ride."

Lewis explains the feeling saying, "It's very disheartening, very disheartening to lose two bicycles."

Now the community is working together to find out what's going on, but they're hoping they won't have to suffer any more losses before the culprit is caught.

Lewis says, "Since this has happened everybody is keeping a closer eye on their stuff and making sure they know who is coming and going."

Lewis says one mistake he made was never recording the bike's serial number. He suggests anyone with a bike write it down and keep it in a safe place just in case.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).