Zane’s Cycles is victim of shoplifting; alerts other shops

FAIRFIELD, CT (BRAIN) — Zane’s Cycles president Christopher Zane is offering a $2,000 reward for information that may lead to the arrest of shoplifters who he said are responsible for taking a 2013 Trek Domane 5.9 from his Fairfield, Conn., store. Zane’s Cycles flagship store is in Branford, Conn.

According to a statement issued Friday, Zane thought the shoplifting incident at his store was an isolated event, but he has since learned of similar shoplifting taking place at other bike shops along the East Coast after he distributed photos from his security cameras to other retailers. Zane’s believes the shoplifting is part of a larger theft operation. Bikes targeted are Trek and Bianchi models valued at more than $5,500.

The alleged shoplifters are two males and one female in their mid-to-late 20s, according to Zane’s. The female is under 5 feet tall with a medium build. The males are both around 5-foot, 9-inches tall with medium build, short hair and no facial hair. Two of the alleged shoplifters distract employees, asking questions about bikes, while the third will take an expensive bike near the store exit, according to Zane’s. 

“While we make every effort to be alert and safeguard against theft in our stores, we were clearly the victim of calculated robbery by professionals,” said Zane, who filed a report with the Fairfield Police Department. “We want to make other bike shops and specialty stores aware of the heightened risk.”

Zane urges those who may have had a similar theft at their shops to send him their images and information so he can forward them to federal authorities investigating this organized theft ring as well as contact their local police department. If they have any information about the alleged shoplifters, they can reach Zane at cz@zanes.com or (203) 483-2620.

Images below from Sunrise Cyclery and Danny's Cycles, other stores with similar shoplifting incidents.