Email Sent April 10, 2001 @ 4:52pm
Subject: Bert's motorcycle - stolen 4/5/2001
My friends,
I would like all of you to know that my motorcycle was stolen on Thursday, April 5, 2001. I have heard nothing from the police therefore I will probably never see it again.
However, you all know how much it meant to me after riding it around the country for 100 days last summer. So, I ask that you take special notice to every motorcycle you see on the road and check if it is mine. You never know. I am attaching a picture of it.
Also, since chrome is not a distinguishing feature of a Harley since it is pretty common among them, please remember that there is only one buckle on each of my saddle bags (someone stole one from each of the bags when I got back from my trip last year). This may be its only real distinguishing feature...assuming the bags are still on it. This is a long shot but it is early and I still have hope.
Please take a look at my website which has all the pictures from my trip (and some of the bike) if you get a chance.
Although I am extremely bitter, I hope it is enjoying its new home and has the opportunity to keep traveling.
Thank you,
Brian "Bert" Betkowski
Here are the much appreciated responses to the email...
Date: April 10, 2001
Bri-
Sorry to hear about your bike. That sucks! I don't know if it will find it's way to MD or VA, but I'll keep an eye open just in case.
________________Date: April 10, 2001
Bert,
I am so sorry about your bike... I know how much you loved it. I do hope it turns up... but please please tell me you had insurance on that baby! Pretty sad world we live in isn't it? Ever since you got your bike I actually have taken notice of other harleys out there. Was it stolen from your apt? Man this pisses me off! It was prolly some damned shifty too... if they catch the sorry f**k let me know... i have this awesome Browning 7mm Rem Mag with a Leupold VariX III scope... i'd love to see if it's still accurate! Give me a call sometime... we need to go tear up some of them orange birds!
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert,
Hey, sorry about the bike. That really sucks and if I see the shifty who took it I'll be sure to kick his ass and get it back, although I probably won't see it unless the guy was Mexican and takes it back to Dallas with him...
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert,
On behalf of the dirty bikers from Smyrna, we sincerely mourn your loss. If your rounding up a posse, count me in.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
brian,
so sorry to hear this. will keep vigilant here out west. hope insurance is at least somewhat helpful but the custom stuff never gets replaced.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Brian,
I would expect that your bike was probably in pieces within a couple hours of it being stolen. Therefore, ever seeing it again is a long shot. Another thing that really sucks about this, (remember it happened to me in 1986) is that from now on you'll look at all people who know you with a little bit of suspicion. Maybe the person you know didn't actually steal it, but they mentioned it to someone who did. It's a real shame that it puts a "sour taste" on how you feel about people after this.
I don't know what the particulars of the case are, you didn't elaborate, but I expect it was left outside, and not just one night. If people see it over a period of time then they come back and get it. You probably can get away with one or two days, but no garuantee. I guess it's a learning experience for about all who have Harleys, you have to keep it inside of your house, at least a garage that's connected to the house so you can hear anything if it's being disturbed. Sleeping next to it is probably the best you can do, with it chained or handcuffed to your leg!
Again, I really feel for you and wish you the best with the insurance situation and replacement.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert-
A few sites you may want to check out.
http://home.interhop.net/~agray/lostride/
http://motorcyclecity.com/stolen.htm
These are probably a long shot, but might be worth it. I have spread the word to my buddies here at work and asked them to in turn spread the word to anyone they know who rides. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert,
That really sucks. I know how much you loved that motorcycle and I will definitely keep an eye out for it; we see bikes everywhere we go. Good luck in your search. Let us know what you find out.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
This is terrible news, Bert !!
I am printing the "mug shot" on my color printer at home and will carry it
in my truck, along with whatever "social tools" may be required in the
[hopefully, very likely] event that I spot it.
Date: April 9, 2001
Bert,
I am sorry you hear of your loss and will be scanning bikes I see. I hope otherwise things are going well. I look forward to keeping in touch.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert,
Sorry to hear about the bike man. I'll definitely keep an eye out, and I hope the cops find it.
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Bert, I am so sorry to hear about your bike, man. I can't imagine what a**-f***ing idiot would do something like that. I will keep my eyes close on every bike I see! I went on your web-site, and took a good look at your bike. I also have close-ups of it in pictures from the Red-neck Party. I promise you, man...we will find your bike...and the mother-f***er who took it!
________________Date: April 9, 2001
Tough break, hopefully they'll find it soon and it won't be abused like the canadians did to Raf's car. Cool site, though, you freakin web goober.
________________Date: April 8, 2001
Damn, that sucks. I'm really sorry to hear about this.
________________Date: April 16, 2001
Bert-
Have you heard anything about your bike? The word is now spreading through clubs around Atlanta thanks to my friends here. Drop me a line to et me know what's up.
________________Date: April 10, 2001
Brian, sorry to hear about your Harley. I hope you have luck with recovering it.
Concerning the tapes... I think it would be easier to answer your question if you give me a call at work. I need to be able to ask you a few questions to make certain I have all of the info. I will be happy to help if you call (at no charge :) ).
The short answer is that I would notify your insurance company and I would send a letter to the apartment management, certified w/ returned receipt demanding that they preserve the tape as it may contain evidence.
Your best bet, short of getting the bike back is to make a claim through your insurance. If the apartment was negligent, then the insurance company can claim back against it.
Jade and I distributed a reward flier throughtout her apartment complex where the bike was stolen from (1660 Peachtree).