BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Police Department is investigating at least nine thefts of electric bicycles and electric scooters at several campus locations reported during February, according to an IU Bloomington Crime Notice.
A similar crime notice was sent at the start of the February, alerting to four reported electric bike and scooter thefts in January.
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The thefts were reported to have occurred at the bike racks of each location on the following dates:
- Feb. 2 and Feb 26 at McNutt Quad
- Feb. 4 at Jacobs East Studio
- Feb. 5 at Myers Hall
- Feb. 6 at Fee Lane Parking Garage
- Feb. 15 at Woodburn Hall
- Feb. 19 at the Indiana Memorial Union
- Sometime between Jan. 29 and Feb 5, and again on Feb. 27 at Ballantine Hall
IUPD says that the reported electric scooters and electric bikes were locked with a combination of cable locks and U-style locks.
Police did not have a suspect description for all of the reported thefts or whether the cases were connected, but did provide information on a person who may have stolen the electric scooter from the Fee Lane Parking Garage on Feb. 6.
They were described as a white man. IUPD says the bike was partially recovered with help from the Bloomington Police Department, but the victim did not want to press charges.
Anyone with information on the reported e-bike/scooter thefts or any crime is asked to call IUPD at (812) 855-4111, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-317-262-TIPS (8477).
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HOW TO PREVENT THEFT
IU Police provided several tips to help limit scooter and bike thefts on campus:
- Record the make, model, and serial number of your electric bicycle or scooter and store it in a safe place.
- Lock your electric bicycle or scooter using at least one U style lock.
- Lock both wheels and frame to the bike rack and remove seat.
- Lock your electric bicycle or scooter in a well-lit area on a bicycle rack.
- Report suspicious persons hanging around bicycle racks to the police.
