Wig-Wearing Bike Bandit Busted in the Upper Haight

By Erin Sherbert Thu., Jan. 26 2012 at 12:45 PM

Cyclists plagued by ongoing bike theft in the Haight will be happy to know that police have finally busted a man they claim is likely responsible for a rash of bike thefts in the area.

On Jan. 19, officers saw a man casually riding a bike out of a garage on the 300 block of Broderick. According to Park Station police, it was clear the man had just cut the lock off the bike prior to riding off. However, when officers ordered him to stop, the man just continued pedaling.

The cops managed to chase the suspect down; when he finally stopped, his wig fell off, revealing his head of blue hair.

Officers searched Mr. Blue's backpack and found he had all the necessary tools to steal a bike -- bolt-cutters, grinders, extra blades, and a garage door-opener.

"This suspect was no opportunist, as he appears to be a professional bike thief, hence my assumption that our bicycle burglaries will be reduced while he is in custody," said Capt. John J. Feeney.

Feeney said the bike owners had done everything they could to secure their bikes in the garage, but the suspect was still able to get in, presumably with the garage door opener he had on him.

While police are confident there are plenty of stolen bikes where this man came from, they also note this doesn't mean riders should become lax. There are countless opportunist criminals out there. With that in mind, police are reminding cyclists to always lock up their bikes in well lit areas and keep your serial number of the bike.

Meanwhile, police are working on ways in which owners can more quickly identify their stolen bikes that have been recovered by police.

No photo has yet been released of the blue-haired suspect. It warrants mentioning that, if he had accomplices, they could be called the Blue Man Group.

Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly

Tags:

bike theft, Captain John J. Feeney, Mr. Blue, Park Station Police, Upper Haight

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Kelly M

Glad they caught the scum BUT if the police "saw a man casually ride a bike out of a garage," how could it be "clear the man had just cut the lock off the bike prior to riding off."? Could the cops see through the garage? Sounds like probable cause was faked, but we're ok with that in this case?

SF Gal

Bike theft at our condo garage... Two thieves caught on camera! Thx SFPD for catching this low life... Thief #2 ready to be caught too!!!

Dreamsmyth

Based on that sign he left, I'd guess Mike wasn't on his way to St. Nicholas' cathedral, unless it was to confess!

White boys steal bikes black boys steal phones.

Mark

I agree with the poster shown in the photo accompanying the story. My last two bikes were stolen. They were my transportation. I don't have a lot of money. Losing them was a real hardship. A bike thief is a particularly low form of life.

Dude on Bike

Nice to hear one of the scumbags gets caught. Thanks SFPD!

Everyone with a nice bike or bikes owns a lock or two, right? Well, use those locks! That is, don't leave your bike unlocked ANYWHERE. thieves love a get-away vehicle after burglarizing your place - and a bike's perfect. Lock your bikes in the house, apartment, garage, shed, wherever. Years in the bike industry hearing horror stories of people losing their bikes out of houses, apartments and garages taught me I wasn't paranoid locking my bike to my room furniture in college.

No bike is "too nice to lock!"

Ride on!