Finally they caught the jerk

[jd56]

OK, a month or so ago, my backyard bike shop was broken into and 4 bikes were stolen.
I did get them almost all back but, with substantial vandalism damage....daggum jerk!!
I am to appear in court next week as witness for the Common Wealth of Va.
Here is what I need help with....because 2 of the 4 bikes were damaged, my 55 ladies Columbia ( rattlecanned black) and the pristine showroom quality 64 Monark Silver King ( parts removed and damaged). Let me point out these 2 are my wives bikes. It is hard enough to have her involved with my passion. But, these damages hit her hard.
I need a repaint estimate for the 55 and replacement costs for the needed parts on the 64.
Restitution is unlikely but the court needs to understand the hard work and costs to restore a classic like these. I have estimated at least $2000 in damages so far.

Then there is the hard to find time and labor to complete the tasks.
If you can help me with these estimates please email me
[email protected].

Here are the before and after pics of the bikes.
Thanks in advance
John

55 Columbia before

Now, after...just senseless!!!

Oh and also painted my nealy perfect Delta Rocket Jet fender light. The pontoons are damaged

Now the 64 Monark...damaged the seat, tanklight away, and the extremely hard to replace rear rack complete. This once was a 9.9 out of 10 in condition when I got it.

This hard to look at

Then there is all the missing stock hardware, $150 in missing tools, overspray on the other 2 bikes, $600 worth of fishing rod and rdel combos, a full tackle box (So much money in lures in that box).
Oh what I could do to this guy.
I mentioned on the Cabe that when the cops showed up he said " "Sir, its ONLY a few bikes"...dang that hurt!!


Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[CCR]

On the Columbia ...

Send some pics to Ricks (American) Restorations :idea:

or swing it by a body shop and have them give you a quote on the paint job and polishing up what can be saved (I'm guessing 6 hrs but its an opinion, plus figure paint costs)
add 2 hours (disassemble/reassemble/grease) at $55*/hour (substitute your local area bike shop labor rate, my area is $55)
price the parts that would need to be replaced (headbadge / tires / wheels / chains / bearings / grips / ...)
add parts tax and shipping (or labor tax if it applies)

that would be repair cost

also try to give them replacement cost, search completed ebay listings for comparable bikes.

 

[jd56]

Thanks Jeremy.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

I feel for ya , that makes my blood boil :x :x

 

[kngtmat]

:shock: Dang man they were such beautiful bikes.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

That is sickening to see such beautiful bikes so senselessly trashed like they were. Hopefully this guy will get what's coming to him.

 

[jd56]

Thanks everybody and I appreciate the estimates some of you have sent me for the repaint costs to be presented to the Courts.
Doubt anything will be done to this guy and the case will be probably considered a simple minor vandalism case. A slap on the wrist and some probation probably.

We hope for justice but, as the cops said...."it's only a bike".....

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Thanks everybody and I appreciate the estimates some of you have sent me for the repaint costs to be presented to the Courts.
Doubt anything will be done to this guy and the case will be probably considered a simple minor vandalism case. A slap on the wrist and some probation probably.

We hope for justice but, as the cops said...."it's only a bike".....

Tell them that's like saying a 1932 Ford is "Only a car", or in terms they can understand tell them to trade in their .45 for a bb gun, after all it's "only a gun", Quality should count for something.

 

[kim_dude]

That sucks JD! Especially considering the attitude of the cops. My brother-in-law is a Sgt in Norfolk if you want to talk to someone. Glad you got them back though. Make sure you get that total value over the felony crime threshold. Having had at least a dozen bikes stolen since I moved the beach 10 years ago I feel your pain.

 

[X-RAY]

So,to the oficers way of thinking, robbing a bank and only getting a couple hundred bucks is ok? come on, theft is theft. The ten commandments dont specify value, just do not steal. sorry,im old school.

 

[jd56]

Kim
No need for a conversation with your police officer friend.
Ironically enough, the guy that helped me build my workshop the was broken into is the Sgt Deputy Sherrif for the city of Norfolk. He is one of the supervisors at the city jail that this jerk is being held at. One of the Sgt's subordinate deputies is a good friend, he and his son come over to my house everyweek to fish in the back yard, said he talked to the jerk one day recently at the jail and asked what he did and the perp said he was "wrongfully accused of stealing some guys bikes" and that he hoped the case would be dropped for lack of evidence.
I asked my friend to lace the a..holes breakfast on the court day with exlax as I would enjoy watching him squirm in his orange jumpsuit while awaiting his case to be presented.

I have had a few members send me some estimates for the repairs to the damaged bikes and am extremely grateful for the help guys....thanks

 

[ZygoteLittle]

Don’t allow him to get into your head.

 

[jd56]

Went to the preliminary hearing yesterday and after showing the judge the excessive damage totals of the bikes the charges were qualified as a felony. It has been sent to the Grand jury.
So the saga continues but, at least it won't be a slap on the wrist. It is his first offense so I doubt he will get additional jail time. As he will be considered for time served. Restitution is possible but, he is homeless and pennyless, so no hope there either.
But, knowing this has been dropped as a simple misdemeanor vandalized case is a good feeling.
I did learn that he claims he had a lookout during the crime....interesting. Also this upsets me because this guy is still out there and may return.
Security lights have been added and at some point so will cameras.

Thanks to everyone for the support and especially to those that sent me repair estimates. Without those dollar figures, pictures etc....this would have stayed a simple vandalism case.

John

 

[dragnusa]

Im so glad I got out of the hampton roads area, I still have all the news groups on my FB page and its down right disturbing how wide spread crime is getting out there. When we lived out there we lived in a pretty safe area of newport news and we couldnt leave bikes or kids toys in the yard in fear they would get stolen, we would have to keep it all up by the house at the end of our drive way then of course we always had codes on our case for having outside storage.

 

[jd56]

So, heading back to court today to a Review Hearing concerning my restitution (that I'll probably will never see) regarding the damages caused by this deadbeat.

After the trial and he pleading guilty to 3 charges including grand larceny, over 2 years ago. I was told that restitution for the amount submitted to the court for nearly $4500, would start coming from the court with payments from this guy.
But, the case went silent and never heard a thing again, nor have I received a cent.
I contacted the District Attorney numerous times and still no response.

To my surprise, the neighbor said he saw the guy running the streets a couple of months ago.....wait, what?

So, I started calling the DA again and found out there was a warrant out for his arrest and that there was to be a Review Hearing scheduled today.

A new DA is involved now and apparently, according to the vague court records, his PO was to determine what amount the perp was to pay in restitution. Who makes these decisions?
When i say determine what he is to pay I mean the PO was ordered to determine the total damage amount to be paid.....wait, what?

Anyway, off to court, had to take a sick day.
Sporting a new "Rolling Relics" T-shirt, I got from Slick.
It's the best condition one I have at the moment. And the new T design says it all.
Just so you know, It was a toss up between a RRB or CABE or this shirt.
The others are just not load enough. I have a message to send daggum it!

Wish me luck, fellow bike hobbyists.

 

[horsefarmer]

Felt kind of wierd to "like" your post, but I do support your efforts for justice. IDK why people don't respect others property. Its also unfortunate that some people think all bikes are disposable "Wally world bikes"

 

[Fv2]

Felt kind of wierd to "like" your post, but I do support your efforts for justice. IDK why people don't respect others property. Its also unfortunate that some people think all bikes are disposable "Wally world bikes"

I think if people saw how much some of these old bikes sold for,they might change their tune.

 

[jd56]

Just got done with this hearing...I suspect and expect we will be back to do this again over a violation of his order.

The total restitution was reduced by $1000, being the compassionate person I am
(whatever...I just want him to be accountable and reducing the amount might make him more motivated).

He is out of jail....didn't know that.
Living in another city...thank goodness.
Working for a temp agency doing whatever at minimum wage...hmmmm

Judge ordered restitution to be paid monthly at $50 per month then increased to $100 a month in February 2016.
Not sure if he is on supervised probation but, I hope so.

Crazy thing is I was sitting right next to the guy in the courtroom and didnt even know it.

He's not a real scholar but, seemed remorseful but, when looking at jail time everyone would look and sound motivated.
We'll see how this pans out. I'm guess I'll be back in court again over this. I can't see how he can fulfill the task at hand.
I did talk to him and his PO after the hearing. Didn't forgive but, advised him he must be held accountable.

Thanks to all that helped with the estimates I needed from the ones in the know of this expensive hobby. I couldn't have done it without your help.
And to those with the words of encouragement and hope.

Wow...33 months of payments...sure hope I live that long to see the end of this nightmare.

It's all about the Rescue / Revival and of course the Tanklights!!

How did I run out of room so fast?

my FB page
https://m.facebook.com/antiquebikerescue

 

[horsefarmer]

Well who knows, the guy may "straighten out" I sure hope so.
Also hope you get your compensation.
Few years ago a neighbor"kid" who previously did prison time came by with a sob story about needing "gas money" and had a "good" car battery to sell.
I had no cash but I did want to help him out cause he did work for us doing hay before so I gave him 5 gal of gas meant for my tractor in exchange the battery. While I got the gas can, he was in the barn with me.
Well next morning the barn door was open and my brand new generator was gone. Turns out another neighbor down the road had him stop by and try the same scam - he told him to "get lost" and had a new log splitter "walk away" that same night. We called the cops and the "Kid" got leaned on but nothing really happened. Except I got calls from his mom and him. Mom was just angry I picked on her son for having a record, but the "kid" was acting all hurt about it. I just told him it would be better if he just never came around our place again, and he never did. Oh ya never saw generator again and that battery never held a charge, figures.

 

[DJ Bill]

Restitution is a joke where I was from in Texas. On a $3500 loss of classic jeep parts to the scrap thieves, I got exactly $12 in restitution. I told the court they oughtta scrap his pickup truck he used to steal my stuff in. Their loss... I am moving out of town and some crackhead can buy my house for all I care. Laws are meant to be enforced and when a town is so lax on the crime....the honest people suffer.