Suspected cycle thieves arrested

Two men are suspected of having stolen several dozen bicycles and e-bikes in the cantons of Zug and Lucerne. The offences amount to around CHF 280,000.

Numerous bicycles in the higher price segment were stolen during burglaries in the cantons of Zug and Lucerne between the beginning of December 2020 and the end of February 2021. These included e-bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes, as well as trekking and city bikes.

Two suspects were arrested at the beginning of March 2021 during a border crossing in the canton of Ticino. The two were carrying stolen two-wheelers in their vehicle at the time. The men are two Serbs, aged 18 and 31. They are suspected of having committed a total of around 80 bicycle thefts. The amount of the offence amounts to around CHF 280,000.

The public prosecutor's office of the Canton of Zug has opened criminal proceedings against the two accused for commercial and gang theft, multiple damage to property and multiple trespassing.

The two men have been charged to appear before the Criminal Court of the Canton of Zug.

In order to protect against bicycle thefts, the police advise as follows:

•  Keep bicycles in a lockable or monitored room whenever possible.
•  Lock your basement as well
•  Lock your bike in the basement or bike room. If possible, the lock should be attached to a sturdy rod or device, so that the two-wheeler cannot simply be carried away.

Furthermore, residents of apartment buildings should not allow strangers into the stairwell. It should instead be checked who wants to enter the house before the door opener is activated. The access of a collective garage to the residential building should also be closed and locked.

Important tip: Write down the frame number!

The police often do not know the frame number of the bike, without which it is difficult to return stolen or recovered bicycles. For this reason, the police advise that you should record the frame number immediately after the purchase of a two-wheeler, along with the brand, colour and any other important features.

What is a frame number?

This number is a combination of letters and/or numbers that is punched directly onto the frame by the manufacturer or is shown on a label on the bike.

Source: Zug Police

In order to protect against bicycle thefts, the police advise as follows:

•  Keep bicycles in a lockable or monitored room whenever possible.
•  Lock your basement as well
•  Lock your bike in the basement or bike room. If possible, the lock should be attached to a sturdy rod or device, so that the two-wheeler cannot simply be carried away.

Furthermore, residents of apartment buildings should not allow strangers into the stairwell. It should instead be checked who wants to enter the house before the door opener is activated. The access of a collective garage to the residential building should also be closed and locked.

Important tip: Write down the frame number!

The police often do not know the frame number of the bike, without which it is difficult to return stolen or recovered bicycles. For this reason, the police advise that you should record the frame number immediately after the purchase of a two-wheeler, along with the brand, colour and any other important features.

What is a frame number?

This number is a combination of letters and/or numbers that is punched directly onto the frame by the manufacturer or is shown on a label on the bike.

Source: Zug Police