Masked Gang Steals Motorbike in Brazen Daylight Raid
In a shocking incident, a masked gang of thieves smashed through a gate and used hammers to break locks on a motorbike before stealing it from a driveway in Castle Bromwich. The brazen theft occurred in broad daylight on Saturday, March 28, with the thieves undeterred by security alarms and surveillance cameras.
Details of the Theft
The thieves arrived at Water Orton Road on two mopeds, accompanied by two accomplices on foot, shortly before 5:30 PM. They forced their way through a gate, causing over £1,000 in damage, and then targeted a Yamaha 900 Tracer motorbike with registration number AY68 YRP. Two members of the gang used hammers to smash the steering lock and a Kryptonite Disklok on the wheel before wheeling the bike away up the road.
Police arrived within approximately 15 minutes, but the raiders had already fled with the motorbike. The owner, Gary Smith, was away at the time but watched the raid unfold on his phone after receiving an alert from his security system.
Owner's Response and Background
Gary Smith, a 62-year-old rapid blood biker who uses his motorbike to transport urgent blood supplies for organizations like the Cosford air ambulance and Midland Freewheelers, has offered a substantial reward for the bike's return and information leading to arrests. He believes the gang scouted his home about a month earlier when an intruder was recorded checking the bike but fled after setting off an alarm.
"These people are lawless," Smith said. "The worst thing for me was the gates being vandalised. I am offering a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of those involved and/or the return of the bike."
Police Investigation
West Midlands Police are investigating the theft and have issued a crime reference number: 20/195244/26. A spokesman stated, "Officers are in contact with the person who reported the theft and are carrying out a range of enquiries including going house-to-house and reviewing CCTV and dashcam footage from the area." Anyone with information is urged to contact the police via their website or by calling 101.
The motorbike, valued at around £4,500, was stolen despite multiple calls to the police during the incident. Smith expressed frustration, noting that the thieves walked the bike for about a mile before escaping, and the police were unable to apprehend them.
