Bicycle theft is citywide concern
By TERRY BEBERMEYER
Staff reporter
The Hillsboro police reports listed in the paper the past several weeks have had a recurring theme — bicycle theft.
Last week's paper reported four bicycles stolen, as well as other bicycle accessories, and new reports have been turned in this week. The problem has been citywide, with thefts occurring from Kennedy Street to Floral Street to South Lincoln Street.
According to Hillsboro Police Chief Dan Kinning, the thefts are taking place during night time hours and are occurring in residential sections where bicycles are left lying in yards throughout the evening. Also, it seems that the target is primarily small bicycles — children's sizes with wheel bases of 20 to 24 inches.
It is possible that not all of the bike thefts have been reported to the police, and Chief Kinning encourages individuals to file a report with them so that they have it on record.
"We have a Bicycle Identification Program where we can record all information about stolen bicycles," said Kinning.
That information is then entered into the national computer so if the bicycle turns up in some other town, it can be identified by the information recorded.
The police have some suspects that they are checking into, and of course, cannot release other information at this point.
However, in the meantime, Chief Kinning's advice is to "lock 'em up." Don't leave bicycles loose and unattended in yards over night. And if anyone has information regarding the thefts, they are asked to immediately notify the local police department.
