Thief Casually Cuts Through Lock Of £3,000 Bike With Angle Grinder In Broad Daylight
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A bike thief was filmed cutting through a lock with an angle grinder before making off with an electric bike in broad daylight. Watch here:
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In the footage, the thief can be seen grinding through the lock of the expensive bike outside Surrey Quays shopping centre in Rotherhithe, south east London, at around 1.30pm on Saturday (6 November).
A number of onlookers filmed the incident as sparks flew and accomplices in balaclavas stood guard.
One witness asked, 'Is that your bike?', but the crooks only temporarily paused.
The bike belongs to Adem Lakeman, a mechanic at Cycles UK who was visiting a friend and popping into Tesco when his bike was stolen.
A passerby showed him a video of what had happened when he returned to the empty bike rack, prompting him to feel 'sick'.
He'd had the bike for just over a year and had been using it while he recovered from two herniated discs in his lower back.
He told the Daily Mail: "I felt sick after seeing my bike stolen. Suffering from anxiety it's the only way I feel comfortable getting around.
"When I started to see the videos shared on social media I felt better knowing that people I don't know were helping me find the thieves and sharing the theft online."
Adem also posted on Facebook page 'Stolen Bikes in London' and thanked bystanders who had passed on information about the theft.
He wrote: "My bike, a Trek Powerfly 4 was stolen outside Surrey Quays Shopping Saturday 6th November.
"I'm sure some people may have seen the video of them already cutting the lock with an angle grinder.
"I would like to thank the people who are getting involved, sharing the video and giving it more attention.
"I have been receiving information from one of the bystanders that took the video who has been helping me immensely."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating the theft.
A spokesperson said: "On Saturday, 6 November at 13:32hrs police were called to a report of a bike theft at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.
"Officers attended and conducted initial enquiries. No arrests; enquiries continue.
"Anyone with information that could assist is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD3931/06NOV."
