From MZ:
I live on Washington Way here in Venice and multiple neighbors complained about bikes being stolen today. We believe that there was a group of people that came early morning and grabbed bikes out of our patios. One was a new LINUS mens bike (blue w/ brooks saddle). The neighbors had three bikes taken from their gated front yard. The other neighbors complained about their gates being open in the morning (they always keep them closed).
The LAPD may catch the thieves, but without your help of reporting the thefts and giving them info on the bikes, the LAPD can’t make the crimes stick.
In order to help aid in the recovery of stolen bicycles and also possibly help catch the thieves, Urban Escape and ELVINO on Abbot Kinney have generously offered to keep a Dremel engraving tool at their stores so that residents can etch their drivers license or phone number into the bottom of their bicycle frame. Remember to write down the serial number of the bicycle too! Take a picture of all of your bicycles with your cel phone to have on record!
Here is an informative video on how to engrave with a Dremel tool, with a smart tip on using masking tape:
We highly recommend stopping in to ElVino and Urban Escape and hooking your bike up. While use of the Dremel is free, feel free to support these awesome businesses while you are at it!