Cyclist warns of second lock scam

A LIMERICK Post reader has moved to warn others of a bicycle theft scam of which she was a near victim. The female cyclist parked her bicycle at the side entrance to the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre on Sunday November 6, just opposite the park, locked her bike and went inside to do some shopping. When she emerged she discovered that a second lock had been placed on her bike. She spoke to a security guard who said he hadn’t noticed anything suspicious and assisted her in efforts to remove the second lock, but was unsuccessful.

“I didn’t want to leave my bike unattended so I rang my brother who works in the trade, and he was able to cut the second lock off with a hacksaw,” the woman told the Limerick Post.
“I felt I was being watched and believe that thieves were expecting me to remove my own lock and leave looking for help.
“I assume they would then have come in and unlocked their own lock and taken the bike.
“Nobody would approach them or think a crime was taking place, as it would just look like they were taking a lock off their own bike and there’s nothing suspicious in that.
“I know most people wouldn’t have access to hacksaw, so I would advise them not to take off their own lock if they have to leave to get help.
“I almost did this and my bike would have been stolen if I had”.
The cyclist was advised to park her bicycle near entrances to shopping centre that are monitored by security guards, where thieves are less likely to operate, or in locations where CCTV is in place so any suspicious behaviour can be monitored.