Fast-footed Shopkeeper Foils Attempted Bike Theft

Published on: 24 Mar, 2019
Updated on: 24 Mar, 2019

Bike thieves in my shop. Notice the acceleration of the shop owner in pursuit. Watch to the end!

Posted by Chris Ogle on Friday, 22 March 2019

A brazen bike thief was foiled last week by the quick actions of a Guildford shopkeeper who gave chase and prevented the theft of a £2,500 electric bike.

Chris Ogle, who runs the Electric Bike Shop on Woodbridge Road near St Saviours Church, was alone in his shop on Wednesday at 4.11pm (the video clock shows summer time) when a male youth entered.

Chris said: “One guy walked in. I said hello and asked if I could help. He said he was just browsing. At that point his accomplice came in and stayed near the door, ensuring the door was wide open.

Chris Ogle

“The first youth then started to take a bike out from where it was lined up. I asked him not to move it out but he refused and got a bit aggressive in his manner.

“I told him if he did not put it back I would call the police. He continued to act in an aggressive way so I turned round to telephone the police.

“At this point, he started to make his exit. As you can see in the video I pursued him, fast enough so that he could not mount the bike, shouting ‘Stop that man’ or similar.

“A passer by, just outside St Saviours, kicked out at the guy, hit the bike and unbalanced him. He dropped the bike and made off. I retrieved the bike, just a little damaged.

“The police have been helpful and asked me to send still images of their faces from my CCTV, which I have done. The quality of these is not great and I fear that they might not be usable and they will not be able to pursue it. We shall see.

“The retail price of the bike he tried to take is £2,499. That’s a typical bike price, though we have some at £999.

“This is the first time something like this has happened but I have been subjected to credit card fraud for £10k – but managed to recover the money.

“Bike theft, I believe is a growing problem. There was a bad one at London Bridge last Monday. Thieves entered with bolt cutters, assaulted the staff and managed to get away with one bike.”