MADISON (WKOW) – The UW-Madison police are searching for two suspects accused of stealing several electric bikes and scooters in downtown Madison.
These thefts occurred on campus. On Thursday, police warned the community about the increase in bike and scooter thefts and on Friday, they shared photos of the two suspects.
Investigators noted a rise in thefts, with four e-scooters stolen outside several campus buildings on Wednesday.
Sellers are reminding owners how to keep their bikes and scooters secure.
"Most thefts, at least from what I’ve seen in Indianapolis, Chicago, and around here, is a crime of opportunity and I’ve watched people try to steal my e-bike," said Julien Mathie, General Manager of Wheel & Sprocket.
Mathie shared three essential layers of security that owners should follow to prevent theft. According to Mathie, investing in locks is necessary and it's far more cost-effective than replacing a stolen bike or scooter.
"First for layer one, I disable the rear wheel. I do this if I’m going to be at a café or I can keep an eye on my bike from a distance. Layer two I start to secure the bike to a physical object like a bike rack or a bench. I would use a U lock or a folding U lock. Lastly, for layer three is to add a cable through the wheel to will disable the bike and make it less convenient to use," added Mathie.
In the meantime, UW-Madison Police asks anyone who recognizes the suspects to contact them directly.
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