Tuesday, 19 March 2024
News

Specialized headquarters hit for $160,000 bike theft

The Specialized headquarters have been ransacked by thieves who made off with $160,000 worth in bicycle gear, reports Cycling Tips.

Taking place during the day on Sunday 13th of December, the multiple bike theft saw iconic museum pieces taken from the manufacturer’s Morgan Hill, California headquarters. Furthermore, staff bikes and even prototype models were taken.

A tally of 18 bikes were counted by the brand as missing and reported to police, many irreplaceable, some bespoke for professionals in the cycling world.

Bikes made for Jaroslav Kulhavy’s London Olympic Gold, Peter Sagan’s Paris-Roubaix winning S-Works and Ned Overend’s national championship winning S-Works Fatboy are all missing. Mike Sinyard, the firm’s founder, had two of his own Stumpjumper bikes stolen. Tony Martin’s Silver medal winning S-Works Shiv from the London Olympics is also missing.

The Morgan Hill Police Department has released imagery of two vehicles used by the thieves in their getaway; a Toyota 4Runner later discovered abandoned in Salinas, Ca and a white box van (pictured) which is still unaccounted for.

The robbery was unhampered thanks to limited on-site staff due to Covid-19 regulations.

A reward of US$25,000 is now put up by Specialized for information on the bike theft that may lead to an arrest or conviction.

The police department’s Mindy Zen who is handling the case for the Morgan Hill Police can be contacted on (669) 253-4917.