Serial thefts of electric bikes, call for vigilance in tourist places

Les voleurs ciblent les vélos électriques notamment sur le littoral. Illustration Midi Libre – RICHARD DE HULLESSEN

Plusieurs plaintes ont été déposées pour des vols de vélos électriques le long des plages à Sète.

Bicycle thefts have been increasing in recent days around tourist sites. Along the beaches of Sète or in certain car parks in Frontignan. And not just any bikes. It is electric two-wheelers that are the object of all desires. Thus, on August 9th around 3:30 p.m. in the Lido sector, a patrol crew spotted the suspicious activities of two individuals around parked vehicles. While one seemed to be keeping watch, the second quickly ripped off the lock, then the duo tried to escape on board the moped. He didn't get very far, caught by the patrol. In police custody, the accused, including a 16-year-old minor, denied their involvement. The youngest released will be summoned later before the juvenile judge. The second, in an irregular situation, was given a penal order and was notified of an obligation to leave the territory. The victim who had come very quickly to the police station was able to recover his property.

A lookout and a thief

While this procedure was still in progress, the police patrol had already resumed surveillance on the beach. Around 5pm, it happened again at the Corniche. Another duo was spotted, seemingly using the same modus operandi. This time, one of the two used pliers to break the lock before fleeing alone on the bike. The two suspects were arrested. The first denied the facts while the second, who admitted to the theft, was in an irregular situation on the territory and was taken to the administrative detention centre in Sète.

The national police services suspect that several teams are taking turns on the coast to commit these serial thefts. They are calling on holidaymakers to be vigilant, particularly regarding rental electric bikes, which have high deposits and can be charged to customers in the event of theft or loss.