W00t! got a free 18 speed bike!

So I was on my way home from school and was passing my apartment complex and this bike was laying in the middle of the road sitting on the median. So I went home, got changed, and went back out there and it was still there. So I ran out there and grabbed it and walked it back to the apartment. In really good shape, just needs a new seat and a new front innnertube.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59601.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59611.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59621.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59631.jpg

Not bad for being 100% free. :D :D

I bought a new water bottle for it, a chain to lock it up, and one of those pumps that attaches to the bike. Sprayed the gears and chain with some WD-40 as they were looking like crap, all I got left to get is a new seat. :rockon:

Be aware. If the owner reports it stolen, you get charged when they catch you with it riding. Despite the fact that it was 'abandened', it can' be reported stolen.
Legally I think you have to report it as found.
I'd probably just keep it anyway too, but officially, I don't want you to get into trouble for picking up a bike that probably fell off someone's vehicle and won't ever be looked for.
Nice pics!
Wolfy

All my friend's are telling me to scratch off the serial numbers.../shrug

ya know those bait cars?...where people steal them and then the cops chase them down....?

Yeh..i've seen videos of cops doing the same thing with bikes. I'd report it.

haha, those bait cars crack me up. Normally I would be a little concerned, but the a fact A cop car drive right by it and then saw me walk off with it and not say anything leads me to believe I'm fine. Where would I report a found bike too? The police office would laugh their ass off if I called it in?

Well there could be some poor person whose bike got stolen, sitting home now, and you found their bike. I think that posessing stolen property is just as bad as stealing it; you did not pay for it. I would have left it where it was and called the police over.. sorry, but I have seen Cops way too many times with thieves saying "oh, it was just laying there so I took it!" A police officer is not going to buy that line. And I have no desire to go to jail.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Well there could be some poor person whose bike got stolen, sitting home now, and you found their bike. I think that posessing stolen property is just as bad as stealing it; you did not pay for it. I would have left it where it was and called the police over.. sorry, but I have seen Cops way too many times with thieves saying "oh, it was just laying there so I took it!" A police officer is not going to buy that line. And I have no desire to go to jail.

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See, I got that covered, cause instead of going to Daytona I'm gonna go knocking door-to-door and show them the bike and ask them if they lost it and just do so till I find someone that says its theirs. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

ya know those bait cars?...where people steal them and then the cops chase them down....?

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I was actually just watching a show about that. :cool:

That bike obviously cost a lot; it is not a cheap ten-speed from walmart. Would you do the same if a car was parked in the street for a few days? Just assume that it was yours and take it?
Whatever; do what you want. :) But posession of stolen property is just as bad as stealing it.

A car parked and a bike laying on the curb in the middle of a highway are two completely different topics. Do cars parked on the highway for a few days get ticketed and later towed? You bet they do. Is it ok for the police to assume the vehicle is abandoned and to tow it away?