A man in England was apprehended after a mountain of stolen bikes became so prominent in his yard that it could be seen on Google Earth.
Police were summoned to a home near Oxfordshire, where they discovered over 500 stolen bicycles. The motorcycles were found during a police search of his home last Thursday, according to reports.
A 54-year-old man was detained on suspicion of possessing criminal property and handling stolen goods.
“A 54-year-old man from Oxford has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and possession of the criminal property following the execution of a warrant in Littlemore,” the Thames Valley Police said in a statement.
The man was finally released under investigation after several complaints were filed against him. Officers were searching through hundreds of bikes at home, according to neighbours. According to Colleen Butler, a neighbour, the guy had resided in the neighbourhood for over a decade.
“I started reporting his festering collection of bikes four years ago, but it’s been going on for about five years. I made the first report because the number of bikes was just ridiculous,” Colleen said.
“There must have been at least 500 of them. When I spoke to him, he said they were going to be sent to Africa for needy kids, but, as you can see, they never went to Africa. The bikes are coming in by vanloads, and people bring them here most nights and during the daytime as well,” she added.
Police are now seeking the rightful owners of the stolen bicycles.
“A large number of bicycles, believed to be stolen, have been recovered from the property. Officers are currently in the process of identifying ownership of these bicycles,” a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said.