Beverly High-End Bike Theft Rash Hits Nearly A Dozen In Recent Weeks

BEVERLY, MA — A rash of bike thefts in Beverly has added up to nearly a dozen thefts valued at up to $10,000 in recent weeks.

Beverly police said Wednesday morning that the bikes targeted were mostly SE Flyer and Mafia Bomma-style bikes. Police said the bikes range from $500 to $1,000 depending on the modifications and accessories added.

Police provided tips to riders and parents that will make their bicycles more difficult to steal:

1. Purchase and enforce the use of a quality bike lock, even when at home.
2. Record the serial number of the bicycle, especially if the bike was purchased secondhand (location varies by manufacturer).
3. Customize bike or place sticker(s) in an inconspicuous location.
4. Take pictures of the bike.
5. If stolen, file a police report.

Police said a community bike registration day is being planned at the McPherson Youth Center that will include the distribution of a tamper-resistant registration decal.

Police also asked parents to be cognizant of any new bike that their child may be riding around the neighborhood.

"These bikes are expensive," Beverly police said. "If your child comes home with a bike that you did not purchase, please ask them where they got it and vet the information.

"It probably was not a 'gift' from a friend and your child could be charged with larceny or receiving stolen property."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.