In the early hours of October 2, 2024, a family in Rhyope, Tyne & Wear, fell victim to a meticulously planned burglary that resulted in the theft of several high-end bicycles and cycling equipment. The incident occurred while the homeowners and their children were asleep, unaware of the intruders in their garage.
According to the homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, four individuals were captured on a neighbour’s CCTV footage approaching the property. The thieves managed to gain entry by forcibly bending the garage door, making off with three valuable bicycles and a set of new Santa Cruz Reserve Alloy Wheels.
The stolen items include:
1. A 2022 Mondraker Level R, black and yellow, featuring a full AXS groupset and dropper post, Hope Tech 4 V4 brake set, and DT Swiss EX511 rims on blue Industry Nine hubs.
2. A 2019 Specialised S-Works Stumpjumper, all black with white writing and black/silver Tech 4 E4 brakes.
3. A 2019 YT Tues DH bike, equipped with yellow Ohlins forks and a Magura MT7 Raceline brake set.
4. A set of Santa Cruz Reserve Alloy wheels with XD freehub and Filmore Valves.
The victim noted that the thieves appeared to have prior knowledge of the bikes’ location, as they left behind other valuable items, including a P7 frame with expensive components and thousands of pounds worth of tools.
Local authorities have been notified, and an investigation is underway. The crime has been assigned the reference number 116617G/24. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area, which shows a black car, possibly a Volkswagen Golf, entering and leaving the estate multiple times between 03:00 and 04:30 on the day of the theft.
Two individuals were seen riding bikes out of the estate at approximately 3:36 AM, followed shortly by the suspicious vehicle. Authorities are now examining ANPR camera footage along Stockton Road to track the thieves’ potential escape route.
The homeowner is appealing to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information or potential sightings of the distinctive bikes to come forward.
