How to Protect Your Scooter From Theft

Have a scooter that could easily be stolen?

A New Tampa resident did.

A person at the Landmark at Grayson Park apartments, 15501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., parked a black and orange 49cc scooter with a Florida license plate in the parking lot. Between 2:30 and 4 a.m. Tuesday, someone stole the scooter and fled the area undetected, according to the Tampa Police Department.

“Many times these scooters are taken out of the area and re-sold,” said TPD’s Neighborhood Affairs Liaison Lisa Timmer in an email. “Vin numbers are tampered with and they are sold at flea markets and pawnshops. The tag that was on there will most likely be destroyed and thrown away.”

So what should you do to protect your scooter from theft?

“LOCK the scooter to something solid if possible—with a sturdy lock and chain,” Timmer said. “That will prevent someone from picking it up and placing it in a vehicle, or hot-wiring it and riding it away.”

And if you think you see the scooter stolen from Landmark at Grayson Park?

“Call 9-1-1 and give the tag number,” Timmer said. “Keep in mind there may be many scooters that are the same color—we do not want someone getting overly excited and following or trying to detain a person who may be on a scooter for that very same reason. The caller should give the direction of travel and, if possible, the description of the person riding the scooter.”

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