For one Illinois man, a bicycle stolen during the Clinton administration has finally made its way home.
Police in Rockford, IL announced this week that they were able to return a mountain bike that had been reported stolen 23 years ago, thanks to a routine property investigation and one very important piece of information that many people never bother to record—a serial number.
According to investigators, officers recently recovered several suspected stolen bicycles while executing a search warrant unrelated to the original theft.
As officers began documenting the recovered property, one detective decided to run the serial numbers through an old law enforcement database.
To everyone’s surprise, one of the bicycles matched a theft report filed all the way back in 2003.
Police tracked down the original owner, who admitted he initially thought the phone call was some sort of prank.
“I figured someone was joking,” he said. “I honestly forgot I even still had the paperwork.”
The now-middle-aged owner had reported the bicycle stolen from outside his apartment shortly after buying it.
After a few weeks, he assumed it had been stripped for parts or long since discarded.
Instead, authorities believe the bike simply changed hands numerous times over the years before eventually resurfacing during the recent investigation.
Remarkably, while showing plenty of scratches and faded paint, the bicycle was still largely intact.
Police say they’ll return it once investigators complete photographing it for evidence.
The owner joked that the bike is now so old it’s probably considered “vintage.”
Officers say the unusual case is a good reminder to record serial numbers for bicycles, power tools, electronics, and other valuables.
You never know.
Apparently, there’s no statute of limitations on a bicycle deciding it misses home.
The investigation into the recovered property remains ongoing, and police say additional stolen items may still be matched with their rightful owners.
One thing is certain:
That bike has had a longer journey than most people’s careers.
