The times., 1899-10-22
many BICYCLES STOLEN
Washington an Excellent Field for
the Wheel Thief.
Organized Gangs in Some Cities
Whose business j. to PurIoin Ma
chimes TO Order-How They Make
Identification of the Property I'M
pOssibIe-Recent Losses Reported.

Washington has been termed the wheel
mems paradise. 1t is also a great fed for
bicycle thieves. Among the highest and
the loWest-men, women, and children Of
all classes and all ages-bicycle riding has
become a feature OF everyday enjoyment
Likewise. the bicycle thief enjoys oppor-
tunities here 10 ply his trade not found
elsewhere.
Probably in no other city Of equal size
IN the country is the wheel so generally
used. Twenty-Five thousand bicycles are
said 10 be owned in Washington. The
banker, the business man. the department
clerk, and the labOrer, all enjoy the priv
ilege Of skimmIuE over the asphalt OF
Nashington's streets, and bicycles are to
be seen in every part Of the city. In the
suburbs, also, the wheel becomes a practi-
cal necessity, and at night the huudI eds Of
rapidly moving lanterns attest the value
and popularity Of the bicycle
It is not surprising that the bicycle thief
fourishes in Washington. He has an ex-
CepuOually wide range OF action, and as
rule, can afford TO be choice regarding
the selection Of his pluuder. In many in
stances, bicycles are left for hours IN
guarded al the doors OF dwellings in re-
mote sections Of the city, while frequent
town districts. II is true that owners Of
bicycles attempt at times TO protect their
property by the use OF chains and patent
locks. The thief is equal, however, to this
emergency. A small pair of nippers, deX-
1erously handled, cuts the chain and re-
leases the wheel. which is appropriated by
the thief
AT Police Headquarters a special book is
reserved for entries Of bicycle TObbeTles.
This list IS IN the possession Of Detective
Muller 10 whom ali bicycle cases are as
signed for investigation. Reports that
come Ia from the various pre.incts are i'm
mediately entered in this book 4 general
alarm, with & description Of the stolen
wheel, IS then sent 10 every station. di-
reciing a search for the property. Within
q short time an investigation Is also start
ed by Detective Muller. should any clew be
found upon which 10 work. Where a wheel
IS located, the owner is at once notified,
and the property returned upon the signing
Il q receipt which Is filed by the police
for reference.
Behind the disappearance Of many BIZ
cycles IS a story of organized business en-
terprise which. though unlawful. is,
doubtless. remuueratIye. IN the larger
cities. particularly Chicago gangs Of
thieves are organized for the purpose Of
stealing bicycles. which after numerous
changes, are offered for sale as second
handed. In such cases the wheels are
skllfully altered, numbers are changed,
and the frames are cut down by the
dealers. To complete the disguise. in many
cases. the machines are re-enameled and
repainted. There Is no certainty that an
organized gang works IN Washington but
the large number OF losses reported to the
police makes such a conclusion appear TO
be reasonable
An exchange Of stolen stock by dealers
IN several cities is also said 10 take place,
where an active search BY the police is in