BIKE bandits with a head for heights scaled a skateboard park roof, smashed a skylight and hammered down a store wall to steal BMX cycles, parts and clothing worth thousands of pounds.
The raiders struck at Notion Bikes in the Works Skate Park, Kitson Road, Hunslet, Leeds, early on Sunday.
They escaped with four distinctive bikes, parts including scooter components and clothing worth £8,000.
The raiders planned to escape with six bikes, but left two on the roof of the converted industrial unit after breaking-in around 12.30am.
The gang, who probably reconnoitred the building earlier, climbed the wall to reach the roof and then smashed through a roof light.
Once on the ground they hammered into the store built into the old building and run by Mr Richard Rowlands.
After ransacking the interior they hauled six bikes and the valuable stock onto the roof before picking up two cycles and dropping to the ground outside.
They are thought to have returned later and climbed the roof a second time and carried away two more of the six bikes along with a great deal more stock.
It is believed that the break-in, filmed partly by closed circuit tv security cameras, lasted at least an hour, said Mr Rowlands’ wife Helen.
Mr Rowlands discovered the break-in when he arrived to open up at 9.45am on Sunday and found his shutters jammed. The couple have run the business for two years.
The stolen bikes include a custom built Mothership Custom with orange Eclat parts, a Kink Launch BMX, a United RN4 and a black T1 Garrett Byrnes. Mr Rowlands asked anyone offered the distinctive bikes to contact the police.
A police spokesman urged anyone with information about those responsible or the stolen items to contact City and Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team on the non emergency 101 number.
bruce.a.smith@ypn.co.uk
Comments