Broken bike theft ring, store owners relieved – CBS Denver

Longmont, Colorado CBS) – Cenna Vaelli has owned Cenna Custom Cycles in Longmont since 2015. In November 2019, his store was robbed and $ 40,000 worth of bikes and merchandise was stolen.

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He said it happened quickly.

“Taken in less than a minute probably,” Cenna said. “It makes you feel very vulnerable, just like having your bike ripped off in your garage, even if you want to make it bigger.”

He was not alone. In late 2019 and early 2020, CBS4’s Connor McCue interviewed bike shop owners who had the same thing happened to them and began to suspect that something was going on beyond the ordinary crash and seizure. .

“They knew exactly which bikes to target,” said Justin Hoese, general manager of Boulder Cycle Sport.

Louisville Cyclery owner Greg Jones said, “I don’t feel like it was just theft from a bike shop anymore. He feels very organized.

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(credit: CBS)

It turns out they were right. Colorado Attorney General Phil Wiser announced 8 indictments related to a bicycle theft ring targeting stores statewide on Wednesday. According to the GA, the suspects had a well-organized plan. They were stealing a large vehicle, smashing the windows of a closed store, and stealing high-end bicycles. They would then sell them in other countries. They hit 29 stores, many of them on multiple occasions. The approximate value of the stolen bikes alone is $ 985,000.

While insurance covers most financial losses, Cenna says that when something like this happens, you never really get over the anxiety it causes.

“It’s an uncomfortable feeling,” Cenna said.

He says he is grateful to the law enforcement and GA for bringing these men to justice and hopes that this is the end of their criminal madness.

“Maybe this organized gang is no longer operational,” Cenna said.

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The AG says the men are collectively charged with 227 counts of burglary, car theft, attempted burglary and theft. The value of stolen vehicles, stolen goods and property damage is approximately $ 1.5 million.