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Letter to the editor

Motorcycle thefts revving up around the city

By Times Staff Writer
Published June 3, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Florida had the second-highest number of motorcycle thefts (6, 324) in the nation in 2005, second only to California, according to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The nationwide total was 70, 613, a loss of more than $434-million. The top five brands recently stolen were Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson.

In St. Petersburg, we have noticed a steady string of motorcycle thefts - more than one per week - in the first five months of 2007. Like the national crime pattern, nearly half of the motorcycles stolen in our city were made by Suzuki, the most popular brand among racing enthusiasts. Honda and Yamaha round out the three most popular brands.

Most of the thefts have occurred in the far north apartment complexes, but lately the crimes have moved west.

We recover about 92 percent of all cars reported stolen, most of them within 48 hours.

But motorcycle thieves have a different agenda. They are primarily interested in profiting from the sale of the bike or its parts. These thieves do not operate alone, since they typically take a motorcycle - which can weigh several hundred pounds - by lifting it into the back of a pickup truck or into large, box-style truck.

A few tips: Always use the key to lock the front steering forks and keep the motorcycle inside a garage. If you don't have a garage, chain your motorcycle to an immovable object. Consider installing a motion alarm system designed for motorcycles.

If you have any information about motorcycle thefts, call our tip line at 892-5000.

William Proffitt, St. Petersburg police spokesman

[Last modified June 2, 2007, 20:21:57]