BART police seek owners of stolen bikes

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- BART police arrested a man they believe is a serial bike thief. Police are trying to re-connect the stolen bikes and bike parts with their rightful owners.

Police are calling him the busy bike thief. More than 500 people had their bikes stolen last year. BART police are hoping that anyone who has had a bike stolen from BART begin identifying their property.

San Francisco resident Brett Major, 47, was arrested for stealing a bike from a BART station on May 31, but police believe that wasn't the first time he had made off with someone else's bike. That day, a station agent at the 24th Street BART station noticed Major acting suspicious around the bikes. She watched him board a train headed for SFO with a bike and alerted BART police and other station agents. Another agent at the Balboa Park station recognized him as he got off a train and police arrested him outside.

"That's when they recovered the five bicycle frames and stolen bicycle parts in his residence," BART spokesperson Ofc. Era Jenkins said.

Now BART wants to reunite these bikes with their owners. They have asked ABC7 to show pictures hoping someone might recognize their property.

It is unclear what Major might have wanted to do with so many bikes.

"It's very important that people come forward to identify their bicycles because we could be able to possibly get more charges against him," Jenkins said.

According to BART, the San Francisco Police Department Ingleside station has collected 114 stolen bikes that are waiting to be claimed. Some could be from BART property.

Bike theft is a growing problem on BART. So far this year the top five worst stations for bike theft are: Ashby, 16th St. Mission, Pleasant Hill, East Dublin and Fremont and Civic Center are tied for fifth.

Jesus Gonzalez locks his bike at BART, but doesn't worry much about theft.

"No, no because my bike is not really [a] great bike," Gonzalez said.

BART is urging everyone to keep track of serial numbers and proof of purchase receipts in case a bike is stolen and they need to claim it from police.

If you think BART might have your stolen property call 510-464-7040.

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BART, SFPD, crime, san francisco news, heather ishimaru

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